Homework first for China’s schoolboy sensation
HONG KONG: China’s latest schoolboy golf sensation Lin Yuxin says it’s “an honour” to play in the US Masters next year, but first he’s got homework to do.
Left-hander Lin stormed to the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship (AAC) in New Zealand on Sunday with a birdie-eagle finish, securing a place at Augusta and at Carnoustie for next year’s British Open.
“I think it’s going to be a really great experience,” said Lin Thursday, after shooting a fine two-under par 68 at the Clearwater Bay Open in Hong Kong.
“It’s an honour and I think it’s a dream for every player to play in the Masters.”
But the disciplined Lin couldn’t hang around too long to chat after securing a share of sixth place in the first round at the PGA Tour China Series event with another 18th hole eagle. There were more pressing matters.
“I do a lot of my school work online during tournament weeks,” explained homeschooled Lin, who only turned 17 three weeks ago.
Beijing-based Lin is in the middle of a five-week run of back-toback tournaments that includes events on the European Challenge Tour, Asian Tour and PGA Tour China.
And later this month he will play with the likes of Jordan Spieth, Adam Scott and Jason Day at the Australian Open.
Lin was bitten by the golf bug when first taken to a driving range at the age of six by his dad in Beijing.
But it is his mum who travels with him everywhere now and keeps the big-hitting teenager on the straight and narrow.
China’s world number 66 Li Haotong predicted in Shanghai last week at the WGC-HSBC Champions: “In the next five years we will see a lot of young Chinese players on tour.”
Right on cue, Lin became the third Chinese in five years to lift the AAC, following fellow teens Guan Tianlang in 2013 and Jin Cheng two years ago. AFP