Guan Tianlang, the eighth-grader who became the youngest ever to make a cut at a major championship when he finished 58th at the Masters last month, has accepted an exemption to play in next week’s Memorial Tournament, held at Jack Nicklaus’ place, Muirfield Village.

After making history at Augusta National, the 14-year-old from China, who clearly isn’t required to go to school, played at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans and saw weekend play again. He was aiming to go 3 for 3 at the Byron Nelson Championship last week, but (finally) missed the cut after a second-round 77.

Oh, goodie! He’ll finally be at a tournament I’m covering (or I’ll be covering an event he’s playing, whatever). (continue reading…)

Ye breaks new age record

Guan Tianlang, who? The 14-year-old became the youngest to compete in the Masters and he’s made two cuts in a row, but forget Guan, who was the youngest to play in a sanctioned Tour event at 13 in the 2012 China Open. Enter: Ye Wocheng, the 12-year-old earned a spot in this year’s China Open, a European Tour event, via the qualifier, which, as you know, is no easy feat.  (continue reading…)

He’s only 14, but kicking butt!

If you were impressed by Guan Tianlang’s play and poise a few weeks ago at the Masters, prepare to be wowed again. The 14-year-old reigning Asian Amateur champion fired a three-under 69, following his opening 72, putting him safely inside the cut line at the Zurich Classic.

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The drop that shook the world

Who said golf was boring?!? My roommate Carson Griffith, a freelance journalist who until February was the senior gossip columnist for the New York Daily News, has learned so much about the game and The Masters since Thursday, particularly in the last 24 hours.

When I asked for a free association, she said: “Crazy pants, Aussie accents, 14-year-old wunderkind, slow play penalties, and just as much Tiger Woods controversy as I got on the tabloid covers.”

Sums it up! And clearly, *tons* of drama. Yep, this is truly a Masters unlike any other.  (continue reading…)

Hello there! This evening I’m joined by Oliver Horovitz, author of “An American Caddie in St. Andrews.” We talk about the highlights in the first round of this year’s edition of The Masters. If today was a preview of things to come the rest of the week, then we’re in for an epic finish! We have a 14-year-old, 53-year-old and Sergio Garcia, among others as first-round storylines. It doesn’t get much better!

Guan Tianlang: having a good old sit, in a field.

Chinese amateur Guan Tianlang completed a wire-to-wire victory at the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship in Thailand yesterday, thus ensuring his early invitation to next year’s Masters Tournament.

Currently just 14 years and 5 months old, Guan looks set to demolish Matteo Manassero’s 2010 record, set when the Italian was 16, and become the youngest competitor in the tournament’s 77-year history. (continue reading…)