Dou Zecheng is first Chinese golfer to earn PGA Tour spot

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By CGTN's Shi Yi

Dou Zecheng made history on Sunday as he became the first Chinese player to earn a full PGA Tour card and win the Digital Ally Open on the Web.com Tour.

That is the feeder system to the PGA tour in North America – the 20-year-old Dou made history claiming a three-stroke victory at the rain- delayed event in Kansas.

Dou was 15-under in the final two rounds, shooting a 10-under 61 in the morning, and a 66 in the afternoon. He finished with a 25-under total of 259 by closing out the win with a 66, ahead of second-placed Kyle Thompson, Luke Guthrie and Billy Kennerly.

Dou Zecheng plays at the Digital Ally Open on the Web.com at Nicklaus Golf Club at LionsGate in Kansas, July 30, 2917./ Sina Photo

Rising talent Dou is the third-youngest winner in the history of the tour, and his victory has made him jump from 53rd to 15th on the money list, which should secure him a PGA Tour card for the next season. He earned 117,000 US dollars to jump from 53rd to 15th on the money list with 185,594 US dollars, more than enough to wrap up a PGA Tour card with only four events left in the race for 25 spots.

He won four times last year on the PGA Tour China and topped the money list to earn a place on the Web.com Tour card.

Born in Central China's Henan province but raised in Canada for part of his childhood, Dou became a professional golf player at the age of 17, and later returned to China to continue his career.

"I hope (my win) will bring more young players from China to come out and play golf... and give them more confidence when they come out here and play," Dou said in a video interview posted on the PGA Tour's website as being the first Chinese player to earn a PGA Tour card.

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