Guan Tian-Lang, a 14-year-old golfer from China, became the youngest qualifier for the Masters in history this week, after winning the Asian-Pacific Amateur Championship in Thailand.
At just 125 pounds, Tian-Lang uses a belly putter.
If the USGA and golf’s governing body, the R&A, rule to ban the belly putter in a few weeks, Tian- Lang’s standings will not be in jeopardy He will still play at Augusta National, and he along with any other player who has to make the switch will have a few years before the rule is in effect to adapt to a new putter.
Tian-Lang replaced Matteo Manaserro as the youngest person to qualify for the Masters. Italian Manaserro qualified at age 16 after wining the 2009 British Amateur.
Augusta National and the R&A created the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship three years ago to encourage golfing in Asia and to introduce a top-notch amateur golf event in the region.
The Masters invites the winner of the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship.
To win the Asia-Pacific Amatuer, Tian-Lang hung on to his lead through all four rounds, shooting a final round 71.
The teenager is used to being the baby on the green. He was also the youngest player to play a European tour event earlier this year when he was still 13.