Teenage golf phenom from China, Tianlang Guan shot an even-par 72 at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans after his first round on Thursday.
When you consider he only averaged 245 yards with his driver and TPC Louisiana is a 7,300 yard golf course at sea level. He is giving up 50-60 yards to the field off every tee.
Guan won the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship in Thailand to earn a trip to the Masters. He became the youngest player ever to qualify for the Masters.
He came to Augusta 10 days early and used his practice time wisely. He even had a practice round with Tiger Woods.
He got a jolt of reality while playing with the big boys at Augusta National when he was given a one-shot penalty for slow play during the second round on Friday.
Even with the penalty assessed on the 17th green he made the cut on the number, finished T-58 and won Low Amateur honors.
Guan has friends that reside in New Orleans and spent a month with them last year when trying to qualify for the U.S. Open. The Zurich Classic offered him a sponsor's exemption to play in the PGA Tour event based on his fantastic performance in the Masters.
The question becomes, should a 14-year-old accept sponsor exemptions to PGA Tour events?
We have seen this situation before. Michelle Wie was a media darling as a teenager and accepted exemptions into professional events, but never really won anything of consequence.
Guan needs to compete at the highest levels in the amateur ranks. He is only 14 years old. His body will change. He will get stronger and his touch and form around the greens will change dramatically over the next few years.
Will playing on these large golf courses against the best players in the world become too oppressive and affect his overall game?
Tianlang Guan is indeed a rare golfing talent. Playing with the big boys on the PGA Tour is a treat and has given him some unusual experience.
If his advisors are not careful, however, he will become a media curiosity.
He has achieved lofty status in golf history and has a huge future in the game of golf. He can help grow the game of golf throughout China and the entire continent of Asia.
Let him win against his peers, not struggle to compete with players twice his age and vastly more talented.