Star's breakthrough at French Open inspires young local golfers

BEIJING - The impact of Li Na's breakthrough at Roland Garros has spread to golf.

Young, rising golf players, especially the women, during the China Amateur Golf Futures Tour (GFT)'s Beijing stage last week were among those who were amazed and motivated by Li's success in a sport which is traditionally dominated by western players and some believe they can create history, like Li, in golf.

"I was thrilled when I watched Li win the French Open championship," said 16-year-old Yang Jiaxin, who played tennis for about two years as a child before switching to golf. "It's a motivation for me. I love tennis and golf and Li's success means Chinese have the potential and strength to win the top prize at the international level."

Their confidence has not come out of thin air as tennis in China was also a new and rising sport when Li was their age 14 years ago.

In the 1990s, there was only a small number of Chinese playing tennis and the nation's best result was a third-round finish by Li Fang at the Australian Open in 1992 - she later became China's first professional tennis player in 1997.

During that period, Li Na was unknown, fighting for as many points as possible in lower-level tournaments.

"Golf and tennis are totally different sports," said Yang. "But the similarity is that you have to work hard and never give up. Li did not achieve much when she was our age. But she kept working on her technique and mental strength and went from small wins to big wins step by step.

"She is a model for all of us."

Zhang Jienalin, 15, did not watch Li's final match because she had to wake up early to study the next day, but she tuned in to the TV replay.

"I love tennis and basketball. Li won a Grand Slam trophy at 29, and it's the result of so many years of hard work. We are still young, but we cannot just stop where we are," said Zhang, who won the GFT Beijing stage on Friday.

"In golf, winning the Masters is like wining a Grand Slam in tennis. For me, my first goal is to become professional ... and then advance from there."

Golf and tennis used to be regarded as elite sports for wealthy people in China.

With tennis gaining greater popularity, golf is trying to catch up.

The Chinese Golf Association (CGA) has been making efforts to seek a breakthrough on the women's side, believing a series of successes on the US LPGA circuit or at majors will lift the sport to unprecedented levels.

"Golf and tennis have something in common in ways of professionalizing, marketing and developing an individual," said Li Hong, chief official of the Chinese LPGA tour, the nation's pro tour for women golfers, which was established three years ago.

"Also tennis and golf are not managed under the state-support system. Li Na's success is inspiring all the golfers as well as people like us who are involved in sport. We have been discussing how to learn and use the experiences of her breakthrough for golf.

"We have a number of promising girls at 13 and 14. I am confident some of them will grow up to deliver something like Li did in tennis," said Li.

China Daily

(China Daily 06/15/2011 page23)