Guan Tian-lang will make history this week when he tees off in the 18th Volvo China Open at Tianjin Binhai Lake Golf Club as the youngest player to compete in a European Tour event, aged 13 years and 173 days.
The talented teenager earned his place in the elite 156-man field in Tianjin by virtue of finishing fourth in the mid-China qualifying event in Hangzhou three weeks ago. Guan thought he had failed in his dream for a place in his national Open after narrowly missing out in a two-hole play-off for the third and final qualifying spot.
“I really couldn’t be happier – I’m so excited right now,” said Guangzhou-born Guan.
“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,” said the young golfer.
Guan started playing golf at the age of four and since then has claimed numerous age group titles around the world. He won the World Junior crown in San Diego last year by an astonishing 11 shots after a brilliant nine under par 63 on the opening day.
