Everyone in the United States has been reading about 17-year-old Akshay Bhatia getting ready to turn pro, thumbing his nose at college golf.
The kid made the cut at the Valspar and is prepping for Web.com Q-School.
Well, last week on the European Tour, there was a 14-year-old Chinese schoolboy who not only made the 36-hole cut, he finished tied for 55th at the Volvo China Open.
The lad’s name is Yang Kuang.
First thing he had to do was hole a 13-foot par putt on the 18th green, round two, to make the 36-hole cut. He canned it to post opening rounds of 71-71. Then he shot 69 in the third round and closed with 73 for a four-under par effort for the week.
Impressive? You bet.
“I’m really happy, it’s amazing,” he said after his second round. “I was really nervous on 18 as it is a long putt for me but it went in and I‘m too happy – there are not enough words to describe the feeling.
“Although my putting was better and my game was better than yesterday, the score is the same. I’m just so happy and want to thank my mom, my dad, my headteacher and members of my family for all their support.”
Might be the next Haotong Li.
Li is China’s best player. Li is only 23 years old, ranked 35th in the world and has been popping into contention at PGA Tour events and some majors. He finished third at the 2017 Open Championship.
