Guan proving he belongs

AUGUSTA, Ga. » What began as a Cinderella story was nearly a Grimm fairy tale by day’s end for 14-year-old golf sensation Guan Tianlang.

Warned twice on the back nine for slow play, the third time at the 17th proved to be his undoing. After taking 50 seconds to hit his approach into the treacherous green in rapidly changing weather conditions, a routine par became an anything-but bogey after Masters officials assessed a one-shot penalty, the first to occur here for slow play.

When it happened, it didn’t appear the cutline would come into play, but as conditions worsened in the afternoon, it was apparent Guan’s fate hung in the balance after shooting a two-day total of 4-over 148.

The rule at the Masters is any golfer within 10 shots of the lead or top 50 and ties makes the cut. Had anyone finished 7 under after 36 holes it would have left Guan on the outside looking in. Fortunately for the Chinese sensation, that didn’t happen, and he will play this weekend.

As you might expect, his father was not pleased with the ruling, but his son took his medicine without a spoonful of sugar, simply stating, "I respect the decision."

His reaction was perfect, and should Guan ever secure his PGA Tour card, the Great Wall of China can’t contain the wave of young golfers who will follow him to America.

His popularity at this week’s Masters can be seen by the size of the galleries that trailed after him in a steady rain over the opening nine holes of Friday’s second round.

Granted, he’s not long off the tee. He and 61-year-old playing partner Ben Crenshaw were side-by-side in the fairway all morning. But it’s what he can do next that has the golf community buzzing about the youngest player to tee it up at the sport’s most prestigious event.

CRENSHAW championed the youngster over the first 36 holes, saying, "He played some of the most delicate chip shots you will ever see." After getting up and down for par at the difficult 11th, Guan walked to the 12th tee, Crenshaw by his side.

Gentle Ben put his hand out to the overflowing Amen Corner crowd, as if presenting a deserving Academy Award winner. The patrons responded with a standing ovation. Guan hardly noticed as he looked down the fairway at the most famous hole on the course.

Crenshaw’s longtime caddie, Carl Jackson, taking part in his 52nd Masters, jokingly said on the opening tee, "We’re baby-sitting." But if this young man continues to progress, it’s not hard to imagine him slipping into a green jacket some day.

After shooting a 1-over 73 on Thursday, Guan answered question after question in English, making you wonder why a translator stood by his side. Her English wasn’t as good as his. When asked on Thursday if he had a chance to win, Guan knew he didn’t, but his response was still awesome.

"I want to win a major," he said. "And hopefully, I can win the four majors in one year."

Tiger, are you getting this all down?

ONLY 5 FEET 9 and 135 pounds with all his golf balls in his pockets, Guan has a short game to die for. More times than he could count, he saved par over and over from all parts of the course. He carded four birdies and five bogeys in the first round.

In a steady drizzle on the frontside Friday, he managed two bogeys and seven pars. In the sunshine on the back, he had the lone bogey at 17 because of slow play and eight pars to shoot a 3-over 75.

Guan’s parents were in the gallery following his every shot. But unlike some Little League parents, they weren’t by his side at every corner of the course. When he spoke to the media, he was on his own and handled it with the same poise and grace he displayed inside the ropes.

At this point, it’s too early to say whether Guan is the next big thing in golf. But even if he isn’t, this week he showed he is capable of playing with the big boys and facing adversity head-on.

Reach Paul Arnett at parnett@staradvertiser.com or 529-4786.