China's Guan makes historic Masters start at age 14

AUGUSTA, Georgia (AFP) –

Guan Tianlang of China hits a shot during the first round of the 77th Masters golf tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2013 in Augusta, Georgia.

Chinese 14-year-old schoolboy Guan Tianlang became the youngest player in Masters history on Thursday when he teed off at Augusta National in the first round of the 77th Masters.

Guan shattered the previous age mark for the youngest Masters player set by Italy’s Matteo Manassero at age 16 in 2010. Manassero and two-time Masters champion Ben Crenshaw were Guan’s playing partners for the historic round.

The Asia-Pacific Amateur Champion, an honour that qualified him for Augusta, hit his opening drive straight up the middle of the fairway, level with Crenshaw but past Manassero, as he set off on a quest to make the cut and play at the weekend.

Guan played practice rounds over the past few days at Augusta National with Crenshaw, two-time Masters champion Tom Watson and Tiger Woods, the 14-time major champion whose success inspired Guan to begin golfing.

In addition, Guan met world number two Rory McIlroy in the locker room of the clubhouse and spoke with 73-year-old Jack Nicklaus, whose record 18 major titles include six at the Masters.