14-year-old golfer receives penalty for slow play

AUGUSTA, Ga. — Guan Tianlang, the 14-year-old Chinese golfer who added some buzz to this year’s Masters, was hit with a one-stroke penalty for slow play during Friday’s second round, hurting his chances of making the cut.

The youngest player ever at Augusta National was assessed the penalty after his second shot at the 17th hole, turning what would have been a par into a bogey. He finished at 3-over 75 for the round, giving him a 4-over 148 total. The penalty was believed to be the first ever assessed for slow play at the Masters.

Fred Ridley, the competition committee chairman at Augusta National, said Guan’s group was first warned for being out of position at No. 10. The teenager went on the clock two holes later, and received his first warning at the 13th.

“In keeping with the applicable rules ... he again exceeded the 40-second time limit by a considerable margin,” Ridley said in a statement.

The ruling could determine whether Guan gets to stick around for the weekend. The top 50 players make the cut, as well as those within 10 strokes of the lead.

“I respect the decision,” Guan said. “This is what they can do.”

Marc Leishman was leading the tournament at 6 under — 10 strokes ahead of Guan — with eight holes left to play.

The last player to be penalized for slow play at a major was Gregory Bourdy in the 2010 PGA Championship at Whistling Straits.

“I know the rules pretty good,” Guan said. “But I think my routine was pretty good, too. Just the wind changed. The weather, it was not a good day.”

A rainy morning turned into a blustery afternoon, which sent scores much higher than they were in the opening round.

Guan said his first Masters experience would not be dampened if he missed the cut because of a penalty.

“This is still a wonderful experience for me,” he said. “I enjoyed this week so far. I think I did a pretty good job.”