China’s Ding Wenyi says ‘PGA Tour is my dream’ ahead of second DP World Tour start of year at Korea Championship
- Ding Wenyi joins compatriots Li Haotong and Wu Ashun as European circuit returns to South Korea for first time in 10 years
- Ding played in the Singapore Classic in February, eventually finishing 23rd in a tournament he led after the second round
China’s Ding Wenyi is making the most of his free time before he heads off to college, and will play the DP World Tour event in Korea this week.
Having competed on the Asian Tour several times over the past few months, including at the World City Championship in Hong Kong, the 18-year-old amateur will test himself against some of the best the European circuit has to offer at the Jack Nicklaus Golf Club in Incheon.
Ding, who last July became the first Chinese player to win the US Junior Amateur, will join compatriots Li Haotong and Wu Ashun for the Korea Championship.
The soon-to-be Arizona State freshman will be making his second DPWT start of the year, after finishing 23rd at the Singapore Classic in February.
While Ding briefly led the tournament, he said his goal whenever competing against professionals was to simply learn and better himself as an aspiring young player.
“After playing in these professional tournaments, I have a clearer picture for my goals. Finishing well in professional events is not the ultimate goal, but to keep improving myself and finding my shortcomings,” Ding said.
The Korea Championship marks the first time in 10 years that the European-based tour has staged an event there, and while there are various pathways to professional golf for Ding, he said his main focus was on what lay ahead when he starts university this Autumn.
ASU is one of the leading colleges in the US renowned for its golf programme, with current world No 1 Jon Rahm being one of its more famous graduates.
“I will begin at Arizona State University this fall. I know I also have a lot of room to improve academically because of the number of years of training and competition that I will be required to spend time on. I do hope to qualify for the major tours after my studies in the US, ” he said.
“I am longing for a chance to compete on the PGA TOUR … that’s my dream.”
