Yuan ready to swing for big-time success

Chinese star－and his unorthodox playing style－set to light up PGA Tour

Once regarded as a "skinny kid" from Dalian, Carl Yuan Yechun will live out his dream when he tees off against the big boys in the season-opening Fortinet Championship in California on Thursday, becoming only the third Chinese mainland player to compete at golf's highest level as a new PGA Tour card holder.

And when it comes to swing style, Yuan is certainly not your typical golfer.

The 25-year-old earned his PGA Tour status via the recently concluded Korn Ferry Tour following an impressive campaign that featured one win and three runner-up outings to finish second in the rankings. Yuan will be joined in the new 2022-23 season by compatriot Marty Dou Zecheng, who returns for a second crack at the big league following a low-key debut in 2018. Zhang Xinjun is the other Chinese mainland golfer who has held a tour card, also in 2018.

Now that Yuan's golf journey has led him to the game's ultimate destination, he is not in a rush to attain quick success as he is aware the hard work which propelled him through the ranks must continue.

"I hope I can have a PGA Tour title within five years, and be in the world's top 30," he said thoughtfully. "The PGA Tour is a new platform, and I may need some time to get adapted."