Chinese starlet to make history

Guan Tian-lang will become the youngest player to compete on the European Tour when he plays in this week's China Open.

The 13-year-old will tee it up at the Binhai Lake Golf Club on Thursday to create history, beating compatriot Lo Shik-kai, who was 107 days older when he played in the 2003 Hong Kong Open. The youngster qualified for the tournament by finishing fourth in a mid-China qualifying event and he appears confident of doing more than just making up the numbers as he rubs shoulders with some of the top European stars. "My goal now is to be the youngest player ever to make the cut in a European Tour event," he told reporters. "And I think if I can shoot level par or better I'll have a good chance to do that." Guan started playing golf at the age of four and has won several tournaments around the world, including the World Junior crown in San Diego last year, when his final-round 63 was good enough to claim the title by an incredible 11 shots. Ian Poulter is favourite to win this week's event, while Paul Casey is also in the field as he looks to continues his comeback from injury and will be looking to make just his second cut of the season.