AUGUSTA, Ga. — Tianlang Guan says his goal isn't just to win one major championship. He wants to win all four majors in one year. After the way he played in the first round of the 77th Masters yesterday, I wouldn't bet against him.
When the 14-year-old from China drained a 30-foot putt for birdie from the fringe at the 18th green at Augusta National it completed a 1-over-par round of 73 and drew raves from his 61-year-old playing partner, two-time Masters champion Ben Crenshaw.
"He played like a 28-year-old journeyman who has been around the block many, many times," said Crenshaw, who posted an 80. "He played a beautiful round of golf."
AP
GUAN-DERFUL FINISH: Tianlang Guan, a 14-year-old phenom from China, celebrates after rolling in a long birdie putt on No. 18 to cap a round of 1-over-par 73.
Fourteen years old, playing in the Masters? Are you kidding?
"I've done pretty good so far," Guan said after his round. "I just want to play good golf and enjoy myself."
MASTERS LEADERBOARD
Tianlang could shoot 83 in today's second round and that would be OK. He showed enough yesterday to let everyone know he's the real deal, a star in the making, who has the skill, the guts and a short game that made Crenshaw envious. "It must help to have 14-year-old nerves," Crenshaw whispered to Guan's caddie.
The eighth-grader became the youngest to play in a Masters after qualifying by winning the Asia-Pacific Amateur. He validated his invite by showing the poise of a professional. He converted difficult chips to save par at the par-3 6th hole and the par-4 17th and he didn't beat himself up when he missed a 6-footer for par at the par-4 14th.
"He stays well within himself," Crenshaw said. "He's very confident and obviously has beautiful hands. He never got rushed. He stayed patient."
We should have seen this coming after the first hole. That's the only time he said he was nervous. Though he split the fairway with his drive, he took bogey on the hole. A birdie at the par-4 third got him back to even and he never really flinched after that.
It was already a great day as Guan walked side-by-side with Crenshaw toward the 18th green. He'd played the first eight holes of the back nine in even par, matching birdies at the par-4 10th and the par-5 13th with bogeys at par-4 11th and at the 14th.
Heck, 2-over par for a 14-year-old at the Masters would be a remarkable score. It's why Crenshaw patted the young man on the shoulder as they reached the green and acknowledge the applause of the patrons.
Then, using his belly putter, Guan rolled in the 30-foot putt with the pin still in the cup. He gave an understated fist pump and raised his cap to the crowd. Crenshaw's legendary caddie Carl Jackson offered the teenager a high five while Crenshaw applauded.
An opening-round 73 and only 14.
"It's like a dream come true," Guan said, adding, "today's pretty special for me. … It's amazing playing in the Masters."
Asked what Tianlang's future might hold, Crenshaw said simply: "I see nothing but straight up from here."
It will be seven more years before Guan can order a beer in the clubhouse if he chooses. Tiger Woods will be 44 then. Phil Mickelson will be 49. We may be watching their heir apparent.
"He's very impressive," Crenshaw kept saying. "He stuck to his plan the whole day. He didn't get rattled. It was really wonderful to see."
Guan's routine in China is to attend his classes and then go to the driving range where he is primarily self-taught. He works on his short game on weekends. There is little time for basketball, video games or wondering how to talk to girls.
"I'm pretty focused on golf," he said.
He has to be. It won't be easy to win all four majors in one year.
george.willis@nypost.com
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