New feeder tour speeds up the emergence of Chinese golf talent
The PGA's mainland circuit is helping young players boost their skills to world-class levels
The graceful movement was enough to get the full attention of Adam Scott, who knows a good golf swing when he sees one.
Scott only remembers her name as Tina. She was one of several Chinese juniors afforded a chance to play with the pros for one hole on the eve of the WGC-HSBC Champions tournament.
And she made quite an impression.
I played with an 11-year-old girl this week who if she does nothing but continues to play, I'm sure she'll be on the LPGA Tour in about five years
"I played with an 11-year-old girl this week who if she does nothing but continues to play, I'm sure she'll be on the LPGA Tour in about five years," Scott said. "She played off my tees on the 17th, 205 yards. Hit a 3-wood to 15 feet and lipped it out. Made an easy 3. Just looked beautiful."
Four years ago, Tiger Woods was introduced to a 12-year-old on the same hole at Sheshan International near Shanghai. Woods was amazed at the poise the boy showed in hitting over the gorge and on to the green with the largest gallery on the golf course watching.
His name was Guan Tianlang, and two years later he became the youngest player to make the cut in the US Masters.
Each year brings more advancement by Chinese golfers, and the inaugural year of PGA Tour China would appear to be accelerating that growth.