China No 3 Yuan Yechun going ‘all out’ to secure victory at the Clearwater Bay Open
The big-hitting golfer is making his Hong Kong debut and is determined to do well and secure a place in the top-10 of the PGA Tour Series-China Order of Merit
Big-hitting Carl Yuan Yechun is determined to crown his first visit to Hong Kong with victory at the season-ending Clearwater Bay Open as the mainlander bids to secure a place in the top-10 of the 2018 PGA Tour Series-China Order of Merit.
Yuan won July’s Qingdao Championship to become only the second amateur champion on the Tour, then started his pro career with a runner-up finish at the Suzhou Open last month, having joined the play-for-pay ranks on August 28 after helping China win a team silver at the Asian Games.
The Dalian-based 21-year-old has since followed up with ties for eighth, third and 24th on the Tour to lie 23rd on the Order of Merit and will be going all-out for the 360,000 yuan winner’s cheque at the Clearwater Bay Golf and Country Club, starting on Thursday.
“With five events left, my goal is to finish in the top-25 in the Order of Merit and I achieved that after two events,” said Yuan, who’s seeking to finish in the top-10 of the money list to secure a place in the Final Stage of the Web.com Tour Qualifying Tournament.
“As my goal has since changed to getting in the top-10, I’ll probably need a win this week – and I’m confident. My game is in great shape, I like the course and I have a good supporting team with me this week, so I think I have a shot at doing it.”
Callum Tarren, second on the Order of Merit, is virtually assured of a Web.com Tour place in 2019, yet is still seeking his first victory on a Tour where he has finished second six times – three times this season – earning him the unwanted title of “Runner-up King”.