Guan Tian-lang will compete in the inaugural AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open next month, in the Chinese amateur star’s latest appearance at a professional tournament.
The 16 year old will join an elite line-up at the Heritage Golf Club for the €1 million tournament, which is tri-sanctioned by the Sunshine Tour, European Tour, and Asian Tour and will be played at Heritage Golf Club from May 7–10, 2015.
Guan announced his prodigious talent to the world stage when he became the youngest golfer to make the halfway cut in a Major Championship at the 2013 Masters Tournament at the tender age of just 14 years and five months.
He had earned his place at Augusta National following victory at the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship in Thailand the previous year, and has since teed it up only occasionally in professional events, most recently making the halfway cut at the HSBC Abu Dhabi Championship in January. He also recorded a top ten finish in a professional tournament on home soil last year.
“I’m looking forward to being part of history by playing in the first edition of the AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open in May,” said Guan “It will be a great experience to play alongside the top golfers from the three international Tours, and I look forward to an enjoyable week at the Heritage Golf Club.”
At the Masters Tournament two years ago, the young Chinese golfer enjoyed practice rounds with both Tiger Woods and Ben Crenshaw, who were both in awe of his ability at such a young age.
Woods said: "It's frightening to think that he was born after I won my first Masters. I mean, that's just frightening. It's exciting that I have inspired kids to play, and not just here in the States but obviously in China and around the world.”
The AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open is sure to be an exciting week for players and fans, and three of the tournament sponsors have put up special prizes to make the tournament even more so.
Villas Valriche has offered a US$1 million villa for the first professional golfer who cards an eagle on the final day at the 423 metre par four 17th hole.
Jaguar, the official vehicle sponsor, has also offered an all new Jaguar XE R-Sport for anyone who cards an albatross on either the Saturday or Sunday of the event.
The Heritage Resorts have also offered a five night stay in a double room at the Heritage Le Telfair Golf and Spa Resort, on a half board basis, for every hole in one at the 164 metre par three 15th hole.
Sponsors for the event include the AfrAsia Bank, Rogers, Heritage Resorts, Heritage Golf Club, Domaine de Bel Ombre, Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority, Air Mauritius, Anahita, Villas Valriche, and Jaguar.
