Shearn does Singapore proud

Shearn does Singapore proud

HIS fellow-Singaporeans may have struggled with the tough conditions at the Callaway World Junior Golf Championships in San Diego, California, but not the pint-sized Shearn Chua.

STANDING TALL: Pint-sized Shearn finishes eighth out of a field of 101 in the boys' 9-10 age group. Yesterday morning (Singapore time), the Catholic High Primary 4 pupil finished eighth in the boys' 9-10 age group in a field of 101 at Welk Resort.

He had two birdies and two bogeys for an even-par 62 round over 18 holes on a shortened course. That allowed him to finish with a three-day total of 195, 14 strokes behind the winner, American Zachary Martin.

Launched in 1968, the annual event features the world's top juniors, and stars such as Tiger Woods and Ernie Els have taken part.

Shearn, nine, is the youngest among the 10 Singaporeans who competed in various age-group categories.

The Republic's best finish at the tournament was recorded last year, when Choo Tze Huang and Gregory Foo came in third in the boys' 15-17 and 9-10 categories respectively.

Said Shearn's coach Phua Thin Kiay: 'He beat the top Thai and Filipino golfers his age, and was the second-placed Asian.'

Added his mum Alicia, who was with him: 'Shearn did very well, as he moved up one age category this year. All the boys are one head taller than him.'

The only Asian who finished higher than the 1.30-metre-tall Shearn was India's Viraat Badhwar, who was two strokes ahead.

Last year, Shearn finished 12th in the Under-8 division.

With such impressive results, it is no wonder the scouts are taking note.

Said Alicia: 'We had one American college scout come up to us to offer him two clubs - a Cleveland driver and a putter.'

That they gladly accepted.

While she rules out a switch for Shearn to an American school at his tender age, she does hope for the Singapore Sports School to take him in eventually.

by Alvin Foo
The Straits Times Interactive
16 Aug 2005