Still getting accustomed to travelling the globe, Yanhan Zhou is hoping a feeling of familiarity can act as a spark in his rookie season on the DP World Tour.
At the age of 17, the Chinese prospect will this week make just his seventh start on Golf’s Global Tour and the fourth since earning his place by winning the China Tour’s Order of Merit last year.
He does so at the Hainan Classic presented by MAEXTRO, the first of two events alongside the upcoming Volvo China Open to be held in his homeland that form part of the Asian Swing.
And having won seven times in 2025 alone in China, Zhou is relishing the prospect of playing again in front of home crowds at Mission Hills Haikou.
“I am really looking forward to these two events,” he said.
“I have a lot of friends who are coming here to watch me. They will encourage me a lot. It’s very exciting to play these two events.”
Zhou made his first start as a full DP World Tour member in Bahrain in January, and he has since played in Qatar and Kenya.
While he is waiting for an elusive first made cut this season, he finished in a tie for 31st at the Hainan Classic last year and is prioritising making small strides as he adjusts to a global schedule.
“I am learning to be focused on my game and about my confidence,” he said.
“I was not very confident in my first event in Bahrain, but in Qatar, I made eight birdies in the first round, which is very good, and I think I am improving a lot.
“I don’t have targets in the Asian Swing. I just want to be 100% concentrated on my game, keep doing the right things and be smarter on the course. I have no targets, zero expectations.”
Part of a strong Chinese contingent in an event that is co-sanctioned with the China Tour, Zhou is one of several local stars including fellow DP World Tour members Wenyi Ding and Ashun Wu.
While at different stages in their careers, with Ding a winner of the Global Amateur Pathway in 2024 and Wu a five-time winner on the DP World Tour – the most by any Chinese player - Zhou is eager to get advice from both.
“When I am confused or need any help, I will ask them and they’re very kind to tell me about their experience,” he said of their influence.
“They are older than me and have played more tournaments than me, so they have got a lot of good experience that they can tell me. They are very happy to share with me, so I think that’s fantastic.”
