Saying he does not feel intimidated by his rivals or awestruck by his surroundings, 14-year-old Chinese schoolboy Guan Tianlang is putting a priority on enjoying his historic Masters debut.
Guan will become the youngest player in Masters history after qualifying to play at Augusta National this week by winning last year’s Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship in Thailand.
“It’s going to be a little pressure, but I’m not going to push myself too hard. I’m going to enjoy it,” Guan said.
“I have the confidence. I know I can play well. I’m going to play like myself. I’m not going to try to do too much.
“Just enjoy the tournament and play some good shots and just enjoy it and hopefully I can play well.”
On Monday he played a practice round at Augusta National with two-time Masters champion Ben Crenshaw, before heading out with Tiger Woods.
“Today was great to play with Mr Crenshaw,” Guan said. “He told me a lot and we really enjoyed it on the golf course.
“It’s hard to believe he’s 14,” said Crenshaw, who played his first Masters at age 18.
Guan was inspired to play golf by watching television coverage of 14-time major champion Woods in his prime.
World No.1 Woods has won four Masters titles, the first of which came in 1997 — 18 months before Guan was born.
“When I was three or four years old, I was looking at him win the Masters and it was pretty exciting to watch him,” Guan said.
“I played with him twice in the past couple years and he gives me many (pieces of) advice and I will say every time I play with him, I feel a lot better and give myself some confidence and it’s very good.”
Guan has a practice round on Tuesday with two-time Masters champion Tom Watson and will join Nick Faldo for Wednesday’s Par-3 Contest, learning more of the secrets of how to handle Augusta’s challenging holes and undulating greens.
“I would say I’m not long enough, but I think I’m still all right on this golf course,” Guan said. “Not a really serious problem.
“The greens will probably go firmer and probably tougher. The slope is pretty big and you have to have a pretty good understanding of the green. I’ve been here a long time, so I think I’ve got a feeling for the green.”
Guan has played Augusta National seven times already, testing his short game over the diabolical greens.
“I’ve still got to practice hard here because this green is pretty tough and it’s not the same in China,” Guan said. “I think I spent a little more time on it, but I think I can do it well.
