HSBC Champions: Hope lies on Hu’s slender shoulders
This story originally appeared in the November 11, 2005 edition of the South China Morning Post (subscription only).
by DAN WASHBURN
The boy who has been dubbed the future of Chinese golf spends 11 months of the year in Florida, and he appears equally comfortable conducting interviews in English and Mandarin. Sixteen-year-old Hu Mu, the eighth-ranked junior golfer in the world according to Golfweek magazine, has a lot resting on his slight shoulders, he’s used to it. He’s been the future of Chinese golf since he was 11.
“There is a bit of pressure to be called that,” admitted Hu, who looks toward the ground when he talks and speaks just above a whisper. “There are so many talented Chinese golfers out there. I do want to be the future of Chinese golf, though. I want to inspire other young kids to learn the game in China.”
Hu is the only amateur participating in the HSBC Champions tournament this week at Sheshan International Golf Club in Shanghai. He opened Thursday with a disappointing 6-over 78, closing with a triple bogey in the rain on the final hole.
In 2001, at the age of 11 – three years after he started golfing — Hu won the China Junior Golf Open … in the 15-18-year-old division. Later that year he moved from Shenzhen to Florida, where he began training under renowned swing doctor David Leadbetter. He’s already won a handful of junior tournaments and played three times with the big boys on the Asian Tour, finishing tied for 11th at the Sanya Open in 2004.
Hu said he’s just an “ordinary kid” to his friends back in Florida, but he’s got the professional golf world abuzz. Everyone knows about the teenager who’s being called China’s Tiger Woods – even Tiger Woods, who met Hu for the first time earlier this week.
“I haven’t seen him hit a shot, so I’m curious to see,” said Woods, who shot a 7-under 65 Thursday, one stroke off the lead. “I’ve heard some things about him, and obviously, what a talent. So you’re always curious to check out the new talent.”
Hu has a quick, efficient swing and consistently drives the ball 300 yards. But it will be some time before golf fans get to watch him hit the ball on any kind of regular basis. Hu said he doesn’t plan to turn pro until he’s completed four years of college. Based on the crowd following Hu’s round on Thursday – a dozen or so fans — the Chinese are willing to wait on their future superstar. Tomorrow’s Tiger Woods isn’t much of a draw when the real one is sinking a birdie a few holes over.
Another teen, 17-year-old Thai sensation Chinarat Phadungsil, joins Hu as part of this week’s field of 73. Last Sunday, he became the youngest golfer to win an Asian Tour event, with a playoff victory in the inaugural Double A International Open in Rayong, Thailand. And after arriving in Shanghai on Tuesday, he announced that he was turning pro. Perhaps having to pass up the Double A’s $47,250 victory check because of his amateur status didn’t sit well with the reigning World Junior Champion.
“After last week’s success, I received a lot of advice from my father as well as my coach and we all felt confident that I should turn pro now,” said Phadungsil, who is guaranteed at least $6,000 at the HSBC Champions. “It’s very exciting for me to play as a professional, especially at such a big event and with Tiger Woods in the field.”
Phadungsil shot an even-par 72 on Thursday, despite standing at 4-over through 12 holes. “I didn’t want my first pro round to be over par,” he said. “It was a really good comeback.”