MEET OUR TIGER 2.0
HE boasts one of the best swings in the world, according to his coach. Now, after firing a 74 at Clifton Springs, 10-yearold Steven Wang is being compared to the legendary Tiger Woods.
GEELONG golf coach Kel Llewellyn says he has never seen anything like it.
Ten-year-old Chinese golfer Steven Wang shot a five-over 74 at Clifton Springs on Wednesday, a score most club golfers would take at some stage in their lifetime.
Steven has recently moved to Australia with his father to be mentored by the world-renowned Llewellyn.
Llewellyn, 80, drew a comparison between Steven and Tiger Woods. “I was at the world juniors with (two-time US Tour winner) Daniel Chopra when he was 17 and that’s the first time I saw Tiger Woods,” Llewellyn said.
“Daniel Chopra was as good as Tiger but Tiger was strong in the mind … this kid, he’s resembling (that). He’s got one of the best golf swings in the world already.”
Player partner and Clifton Springs golfer Ben Henkel said he was blown away by Steven’s round.
It was his second card to achieve his handicap, which will likely come in the mid-single figures.
“Coming out to see Kel is only going to benefit him with Kel being so qualified and being one of the most experienced coaches there is. He’s only going to take it to another level,” Henkel said.
“He made a couple of birdies. He’s playing off the white tees, it’s not like it’s a shortened course.
“When he made a mistake, he just shrugged it off and kept his head high. It just looked like he was having fun out there.”
Steven first picked up a club when he was six and said his dream was to play on the PGA Tour.
“He would be hitting it probably 220m,” Llewellyn said.
“First time I played with him, I said, ‘Now, the first rule is you can’t outdrive the coach’. The little bugger put it 20 yards past me.”
Llewellyn said Steven would quickly make his mark on the local golf scene.
“He’s special,” he said. “His future? I wouldn’t be surprised if he plays Division 1 pennant next year.”