15 year old Chinese teenager Guan Tianlang fails to make cut at China Open

Guan Tianlang (Photo: sportsnola.com)

SHENZHEN, China – It’s back to the books – and practice range – for China’s teenage golf sensation.

Fifteen-year-old Guan Tianlang, a year removed from his breakout performance at the Masters, failed to make the cut at the China Open on Friday, shooting a 76 to finish at 3-over 147.

He’s now missed the cut at six of seven PGA and European tour events he’s entered since becoming the youngest player to complete 72 holes at Augusta National last year at the age of 14.

Guan started off promisingly in the second round Friday, sinking back-to-back birdies to get to 3 under. But he couldn’t recover after making three bogeys and a double-bogey on his front nine, followed by another bogey after the turn.

“I didn’t play well today but I still did my best trying to get it back,” Guan said. “I feel that I did a good job, but this one was just not there.”

Guan will play in a tournament in his hometown of Guangzhou next week as part of the new PGA Tour China series, launched this year to help Chinese players qualify for the Web.com Tour in the United States.

After that, he’s heading back to high school to finish up the year. He’s also going to take a few months off from competing in tournaments to work on his game.

“I think my mind is good so just maybe technique or something is not right,” he said. “I’m still changing my swing now so I’m trying not to think about it on the course, just go back to keep working on it.”

With his father watching, Guan was already back at the putting green late Friday afternoon, practicing chip shots as the sun started to set.