New Orleans embraces youngest ever participant at The Masters

Tianlang Guan of China, the youngest golfer to ever play in The Masters, looks like a history-maker for years to come.

After Guan posted an opening round of 73 with two time champion 61-year old Ben Crenshaw, the golf world is opening their eyes to the real possibility of a 14-year old making the cut in golf’s premier event. His closing birdie putt from the fringe on 18 drew a smile of appreciation from legendary putter Crenshaw, who also birdied the 18th for an 80.

Guan’s relationship in New Orleans started at last year’s U.S. Open Qualifier held at Lakewood Golf Club where the No. 1 ranked 13-year old golfer in the world fired a 71. While that score fell short of his goal of making it to San Francisco, he had other goals to set.

Brad Weaver, PGA Director of Golf, graciously welcomed Guan’s family to make Lakewood their base of operations in the United States, an offer they readily accepted. He stayed on for several weeks in New Orleans with family friends and as his mother Hongyu said in an e-mail, “Lakewood Golf Club is our home course in America.”

Langly, the name the Lakewood staff and Guan’s family call him, enjoys the course on the West Bank. “The people here are very nice to me and I like the fast greens at Lakewood.”

The very nice people did not stop their support at the golf course. His family visited the home of Lakewood staff member Tyler Goynes to have the lies changed on Guan’s irons.

His time in New Orleans was not totally committed to working. Guan took the time to give back by working with the nationally recognized junior golf program at Lakewood.

When Langly went back to China, the staff and junior golfers wished him well, realizing they may never see him again. But that would change when he made history earning his way into The Masters by winning the Asia-Pacific Amateur in Thailand with scores of 66-64-72-71.

This walk in history has given him memories of a lifetime. Along with being paired with two-time Masters winner Crenshaw, he played practice rounds with greats Tiger Woods and Tom Watson. He also has met many of golf’s elite.

When interviewed after his first round four-under par 68, 53-year old former Masters Champion Fred Couples said what the golf world is thinking after today about Guan, “He’s a cool kid, I met him the other day, shook his hand and said hello. For a 14-year old kid to cruise around here in his first time and shoot 73 is amazing, that is probably a poor word to use, he probably thinks he could have shot better, but that is spectacular golf. He has a lot to be proud of.”

When Lakewood was contacted that the Guan family would be coming back to New Orleans and Lakewood after The Masters, the excitement was quickly renewed. Lakewood also can enjoy once again the real Tianlang Guan.

“Langly is looking forward to being with the junior golfers of Lakewood,” said his mother.

In the years to come, the golf world will also get to know this young person, “a cool kid” with tons of talent.