China Open homecoming next stop for kid Kuang
Chengdu teenager will tee off with some of world’s best at May tourney
Kuang Yang is a teen living his dream.
The 14-year-old from Chengdu clinched a berth in the May 2-5 Volvo China Open by winning the Volvo China Junior Match Play Championship at Southern Wood Golf & Country Club in Zhangzhou, Fujian province, on Wednesday.
Playing for the first time in China’s premier tournament for young talent and battling chest pains, the fourth-seeded Kuang qualified for the European Tour-sanctioned event thanks to a 2-1 final victory over Guangdong’s Wu Dianchao.
Although Wu kept the new champion in his sights for most of the match, the No 6 seed was never ahead.
One down with two to play, 13-year-old Wu needed to produce something special, but a decisive 13-foot par putt from Kuang ended the match on the 17th.
For Kuang it means an emotional return to his hometown of Chengdu, site of China’s 25th National Open Golf Championship, and the chance to compete against the best on the European Tour — including the likes of China’s world No 42 Li Haotong.
“This is the first time I’ve played in such a high-level junior competition — it was like playing in a professional event,” said Kuang, the first domestic qualifier for the 2019 Volvo China Open.
“I didn’t think I’d win, so I have to thank all the people who have taught me and helped me get to where I am today.
“I also want to thank my parents for all their support over the years and my dad for teaching me and accompanying me to the tournament this week.”
A natural left-hander, Kuang has been playing with a right-handed swing since first picking up a golf club at the age of 2.
“My dad got a golf instruction DVD for me to watch and since the instructor on the DVD played righthanded, so did I,” said Kuang. “I still do everything else left-handed.”
As for his step up to the senior ranks at the Volvo China Open, Kuang said: “I want to thank the Volvo China Junior Match Play Championship committee for having the opportunity to play in the Volvo China Open next year.
“Chengdu is my hometown, so I’ll be inviting all my siblings and relatives to come see me play. This year has been a great season so I’m going to enjoy it and not look too far ahead just yet.”
Meanwhile, 17-year-old top seed Sun Jiaze stormed to victory in the girls’ event at Southern Wood to secure a place in the China Open’s pro-am.
The talented youngster from Tianjin was never in danger of losing against Shaanxi’s Fang Xinyuan in the battle of the top two seeds.
After getting off to a flying start with three birdies on the first five holes, including a stunning 30-footer on the second, Sun was four strokes up at the turn and maintained her stranglehold on the back nine, sealing a 7&5 victory with a birdie on the 13th.
“This is the fourth year in a row I have played in this event and I’m delighted to have finally won,” said Sun.
“The semifinal was very tough, so I’m glad to have got off to such a good start with three birdies today.
“The trophy is beautiful and I’m so happy to have won it and to be invited to play in the Volvo China Open pro-am next year.”