Paul Lawrie tees up in this week’s Volvo China Open staring at the prospect of fighting for the title against a player as old as his youngest son.
Chinese teenager Guan Tian-lang will make European Tour history as the youngest ever player to too compete in a European Tour event.
Guan Tian-lang - the youngest ever European Tour competitor. (Photo - www.europeantour.com)
Guan will be 13 years and 173 days old in teeing up alongside Australia’s Marcus Fraser and England’s Oliver Fisher in the co-sanctioned event being played at the Binhai Lake course in Tianjin.
That’s the same age as Lawrie’s youngest son Michael who made his debut in last week’s Scottish Boy Championship at Murcar.
Guan will be 107 days younger than Lo Shik-kai who contested the 2003 Hong Kong Open.
Guan, who is the current World Junior Champion, qualified after being among the leading three players in the mid-China qualifying event three weeks ago in Hangzhou.
“I really couldn’t be happier – I’m so excited right now,” he said.
“I was really disappointed to lose out in the play-off and I thought I’d blown a great chance to make history, but then to find out I’m actually going to play is like a dream come true.
“My goal now is to be the youngest player ever to make the cut in a European Tour event, and I think if I can shoot level par or better I’ll have a good chance to do that.”
Guan started playing golf at the age of four and since then has claimed numerous age group titles around the world including capturing the World Junior title in San Diego last year by an astonishing 11 shots after a brilliant nine under par 63 on the opening day.
Guan regularly competes in international amateur events but says that his travel commitments do not adversely affect his academic work.
“I don’t take schoolwork with me when I travel – I just work very hard when I’m at school in Guangzhou,” he added.
“Actually I’m doing pretty well right now and my grades are high. My favourite subjects are English and PE.”
Alistair Polson, Operations Director of the Volvo China Open said that he was delighted next week’s event would re-create European Tour history.
“Anyone who has seen Guan play would not rule him out from making the cut – he really is a talented young player,” he said.
“He displays a maturity well beyond his 13 years and doesn’t seem fazed by spectators or the media attention he has received.
“Being a local player I expect he will receive a lot of attention next week so I hope he does well and gives the fans something to cheer about.”
Lawrie is returning to competition after contesting the Masters earlier this month but leaving Augusta disappointed with an eventual 24th place.
However Lawrie, who is currently ranked 44th in the world, can further cement his place in June’s U.S. Open with another strong showing.
The former Open Champion is among 10 Scots in the China Open field including Colin Montgomerie who last week competed in Bahrain.
And Motherwell’s Steven O’Hara will be looking to make the most of his opportunities as he was the last player into the event.
