12 Apr 2021 | National Championships |
Guan ready to roll at #AusJnr
by Golf NSW
Inspired by Hideki Matsuyama's historic win at Augusta, New South Wales gun Jeffrey Guan will leave nothing to chance when the Australian Junior Championships starts at Gold Creek Country Club tomorrow.
Guan, 16, has been one of the form players in Australian amateur golf in the past six months and will be one of the players to watch this week.
"I won the Illawarra Junior Masters last week. I shot one of my best rounds, nine under, and finished ten under for the tournament.
"I think it was only an unofficial course record because we didn't play off the blacks (markers)."
Runner-up in the Australian Amateur in February, the 16-year-old admitted he learnt a lot about managing his emotions and being in control following his stirring final-round finish at Kooyonga.
Lessons learnt, he said, that will hold him in good stead this week.
"I think I have learnt to handle the pressure coming down the stretch. I learnt a lot about staying in control and getting myself into position for the next day.
"My confidence levels are pretty good."
Guan said watching Matsuyama's Masters win this morning was also a revealing insight into how the world's best handle pressure at the highest level.
"It was interesting to see how nervous Hideki got, three over in the last four holes, and to only win by one. I was a little bit surprised, really.
"It proves it happens to everyone.:
Guan added simply watching the best players' thought processes allowed him to "bank" a lot of golfing knowledge.
"I love to watch the decision-making, not the attitude. I learn from it and it helps a lot.
"Some of the shots I might face are similar to those the pros have to play, so I keep it in my memory."
As for the course itself, Guan said he was quite surprised at its great condition, adding it was more open than he first thought.
"It's quite open, but if the wind gets up, it could become tough.
"The greens look a bit tricky to read, and if you miss the putting surfaces, chipping will be a bit delicate." Guan is one of 154 juniors who will tee up in tomorrow's opening round at Gold Creek Country Club. For the first time in the event's history, the field, which comprises 85 boys and 69 girls, will compete on the same course.
Former winners of the Australian Boys' crown include Peter O'Malley, Robert Allenby, Stuart Appleby, Cam Smith and two dual winners, Adam Scott and Ryan Ruffels.
The Australian Girls' trophy has been won by legends including Margie Masters, Jan Stephenson, Jane Lock and more recently by LPGA Tour players Sarah Kemp, Sarah Jane Smith, Su Oh and world No.9 Minjee Lee.
Join our newsletter
Get weekly updates on news, golf tips and access to partner promotions.