Once again, Yan Sihao decided to offer his input. 'I think that if I win, you should give me $10,' Yan said. His mother, Ren Liya, was talking with Grant Gibson, who coaches Sihao and his older brother Sibo, about possible practice games and drills the siblings could do to prepare for the Callaway Junior World Golf Championships. When Sihao did not receive a response, he decided to clarify: 'US$10.' His mother ignored him. Sihao, eight, has played at the tournament for the past two years. In 2005, at age six, he was the co-leader after day one, but on day two had two triple bogeys and finished seventh. In 2006, he missed the cut. However, this year, Sihao may be Hong Kong's best chance at winning his age group. 'If you want me to go out on a limb, I think Sihao could win,' junior national coach Brad Schadewitz said. At six, Sihao was the youngest player ever to join the Hong Kong junior squad and while his results have been impressive - at a tournament in Thailand he won his age group by seven strokes - his demeanour is also what sets him apart. He doesn't bear stress, nor does he treat golf with utter seriousness. During a hot June practice, he tried to sit down when Gibson wasn't looking. He offered stories about how he had made his father, Sheng, angry, like the time at practice he decided to read magazines instead. 'He wanted to kill me,' Sihao said. He speaks loudly and dramatically. 'His major problem is he doesn't concentrate,' Gibson said. While many junior golfers are slight or lanky, Sihao is big and strong. His khaki shorts are too long, hanging over his knees and half-way down his calves. He has tried to tuck in his shirt, but has had little success. He is almost always smiling. Gibson believes that Sibo and Sihao are both talented enough to win their age groups, but the two brothers have different problems. Sibo, at 10, is serious and often hard on himself. Sihao is sometimes too easy-going. 'They'll learn to deal with these things over time,' Gibson said. Whereas many players have a problem recovering after a bad shot, Sihao's problem may be sustaining a good result. 'I don't eat candy but sometimes when I play good I get a bit happy and then I play bad,' Sihao said. With his power, Yan can drive the ball far, but needs to stay consistent on his approach shots. He has been working hard to prepare for the tournament, although he has not been methodical or deliberate about it. He leaves that up to his coaches. Sihao is too busy plotting his next practice reward. 'If I win,' he said, 'I think Sibo should be my caddy.'
