Guan shoots one-over opening round of 73 at Augusta... not bad for a 14-year-old!

By Sunni Upal

PUBLISHED: 18:05 EST, 11 April 2013 | UPDATED: 18:06 EST, 11 April 2013

MASTERS ESSENTIALS

Fourteen-year-old Chinese sensation Tianlang Guan shot one of the best rounds of day one at the Masters when his birdie at the 18th secured a remarkable 73 for the youngest player to ever compete in a major.

The youngster wasn't overawed by the legendary Augusta course and finished the opening day at one over par, ahead of the likes of Ian Poulter and Hunter Mahan.

Guan's round didn't start well, however, as he bogeyed the par-four first before a nerve-settling par at the par-five second.

Remarkable: Tianlang Guan shot an impressive opening round of 73 at Augusta

Remarkable: Tianlang Guan shot an impressive opening round of 73 at Augusta

Up to speed: Guan finished the opening day at a respectable one over par

Up to speed: Guan finished the opening day at a respectable one over par

Historic: The 14-year-old amateur became the youngest player to ever compete in a major

Historic: The 14-year-old amateur became the youngest player to ever compete in a major

The 14-year-old then recorded his first ever Masters birdie at the third and followed up with three successive pars to leave him level after six holes.

Guan stuttered his way to the turn, though, as he bogeyed the seventh and ninth, in addition to a par at the par-five eighth hole, to enter the back nine at two over par.

After birdieing the par-four 10th, Guan began the famous Amen Corner with a dropped shot at the 11th before bouncing back with a par at the 12th and a birdie at the 13th.

The Chinese youngster then hit his fifth bogey of the day at the 14th, but it was to be his last as he produced a strong finish.

Guan parred the the 15th, 16th and 17th holes before producing one of the loudest cheers of the day on Augusta's final hole.

After an ordinary approach shot into the 18th hole, Guan sank a long putt from the edge of the green at the end of an impressive debut round.

Strong finish: Guan produced one of the loudest cheers of the day with his birdie at the last

Strong finish: Guan produced one of the loudest cheers of the day with his birdie at the last

Close: Guan reacts after missing a putt

Close: Guan reacts after missing a putt

Acknowledgment: Guan raises his cap

Acknowledgment: Guan raises his cap

Appreciation: Ben Crenshaw congratulates the young Chinese sensation

Appreciation: Ben Crenshaw congratulates the young Chinese sensation

Elsewhere, Sergio Garcia and Marc Leishman both shot opening rounds of 66 to lead at six under par with play drawing to an end at Augusta.

American Dustin Johnson was a shot back at five under while David Lynn was the leading Englishman as he joined a group of players on four under par.

Welshman Jamie Donaldson produced the shot of day one, though, with his hole-in-one at the sixth. He became the fifth person in history to do so on the sixth, the first since Chris DiMarco in 2004. 

 

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Scott did you watch the lad's round? He hit just 8 greens and had only 25 putts! Was hitting hybrid into greens from 180, swings it extremely flat. I would not call that competing by any means. The good points were his mentality and short game.

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jeez...I've been playing 25 years and might just manage 73 at Augusta .....for the first nine......

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To the above comment from 'matt from manchester'.... He is 14, his driving average was above the average of the field, and his green in regulation was almost exactly the same as the rest of the field.... it seems his long game is completing with the pros already no?

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To the above comment from 'matt from manchester'.... He is 14, his driving average was above the average of the field, and his green in regulation was almost exactly the same as the rest of the field.... it seems his long game is completing with the pros already no?

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This kid has one hell of a short game but will have to improve his long game dramatically if he is ever going to compete as a pro. He has a lot of time on his side to do that though. As a side I think it is modern technology that enables him to compete, hybrids and modern drivers should never have been allowed they take skill and athletiscism out of the game, levelling the playing field and making it a putting contest.

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