JACKSON, Miss. Carl Yuan is carrying something on his shoulders.
Yuan will have the opportunity to become the first mainland Chinese player to win on the PGA Tour, when he tees off in the final pairing of the Sanderson Farms Championship.
Yuan, 26, becomes the third mainland Chinese to gain PGA Tour membership. He enters the final day at 17 under par, just three shots behind the leader Ben Griffin. Yuan and Griffin will tee-off in the final pairing of Sunday’s tournament at Country Club of Jackson at 2:50 pm.
Yuan said, “It’s a big deal for me and my nation.” Yuan shot 67 on Saturday in the third round. “I am looking forward to playing great [on Sunday].
Yuan is the third mainland Chinese player to make it onto the PGA Tour. Dou, who shot 68 on the Saturday, is also in contention for Sunday’s finals after entering with a 68. He is tied with Cameron Champ for sixth place at 15 under.
Who is Carl Yuan? Mainland Chinese players in the PGA Tour
Yuan turned professional two years after graduating from Washington. He won the Chitimacha Louisiana Open on the Korn-Ferry Tour in 2022, and the Qingdao Championship on the PGA Tour China in 2018. In 29 career starts, he has yet to win on the premier tour of pro golf.
He is not the only one. Li has played 45 times on Tour. He also finished third at the 2017 Open Championship, won by Jordan Spieth. Dou has only one top-5 finish since 2018. He entered this week ranked at 125th place in the FedEx Cup fall standings. This is the last spot to get full Tour status next season.
Yuan is ranked No. Yuan is ranked 151, which puts him just outside of the cut-off for the conditional Tour status in 2024. If he finishes well, he will be in a good position to participate in more PGA Tour tournaments next season.
Yuan stated, “I’d love to see more Chinese kids and players play in the big tour here.” “I hope I’m able to do everything I can to grow the game there.”
Carl Yuan’s performance at Sanderson Farms Championship
Yuan uses his emotions strategically, whether it is a two-putt that was greeted with cheers by patrons in a pavilion nearby on Saturday, or a chip that flew past the hole, which made him wish that he could take that shot back.
Yuan’s relaxed and calm demeanor influenced his performance in Mississippi this week. In three rounds he was the leader with 20 birdies, and ranked in the top 10 for bogeys. He also went 3-for-3 with sand-savings, and he hasn’t had a double bogey this week.
He said, “That’s what I’ve been doing.” Accept good and bad shots. “Just keep your focus on the next shot and move on.”
Yuan, for example, had a lucky break at No. On Saturday, his second shot hit the grandstand and bounced in a positive direction before landing on the fringe. Yuan then two-putted and saved par.
He said with a smile, “I was lucky to hit the right grandstand.” “So, it was definitely an opportunity there.”
He may need a few breaks more Sunday to catch Griffin and win his first PGA Tour title. He does not expect to be intimidated.
Yuan stated, “My success on other tours will help me (in the final round)” “I’m going to focus on my own game. I know how to do it.” We’ll wait and see what happens if you stay focused and patient.
Michael Chavez is a sports reporter for Clarion-Ledger. You can reach him via X @MikeSChavez or email him at [email protected].
