Amatuer prodigy rips up summer plans as he earns dream tickets to Open and Masters
Stylish kid Ethan Fang is having to make fresh summer plans after booking his dream ticket to the Open Championship as well as The Masters.
The Oklahoma State University teenager is on his way to Royal Portrush and Augusta as well as the next year's US Open after winning The 130th Amateur Championship.
Fang became the first American winner of the event in 18 years as he broke the heart of Irishman Gavin Tiernan in a thrilling R&A Final at Royal St George's.
Going into the last of the 36-hole clash, it was all-square after Tiernan roared back from two down to keep alive his dream of playing next month's Open on home soil.
However, Fang produced a magical approach on the 18th to secure a birdie which saw him follow in the footsteps of the likes of Sergio Garcia and Jose Maria-Olazabal and punch his passports to the trio of incredible events.
The youngster admits plans will have to change as he said: 'It's a pretty big trophy and, yeah, playing the Masters and the Open Championship, that's going to be pretty sweet. I'd signed up for a couple of amateur tournaments, but I think I'm going to have to cancel that and go to the others!'
Fang was the favourite going into the Final, but he was made to work all the way by Tiernan who produced special moments on the 34th and 35th holes of the Final to haul himself back level and in with a serious shot of a place at Portrush.
But the American kept his cool to conquer his first experience of links golf and said: 'That was probably one of the longest days of golf I've ever played, but it feels really good to come up on top. I didn't really know what to expect coming here and he played great. I've been in situations like that before [Tiernan fightback] and I just hit a really good shot on the last hole. That was about it.'
Fang's parents were in attendance at Sandwich to see their boy prevail and he said: 'All my friends and family back home, and especially [caddie] Will here. He's been great on the bag. You know, I put him through a lot, but we got it done.'
Fang becomes the latest winner of The Championship, first hosted at Hoylake in 1885, that boasts an impressive list of former champions including Sir Michael Bonallack, Olazabel and Garcia. As well as the outings at the three Majors starting next month in Northern Ireland, moving to the Masters and onto Shinnecock Hills for the US Open, he also earns a place in the field at the Betfred British Masters hosted by Sir Nick Faldo on the DP World Tour.
Fang knows the importance of his success as, after winning his semi-final, he said: "I took a pretty long look on that board with the trophies and all those names. I saw Sergio won it. It's cool to see all those professional players come out here and win it and now I'm doing the same thing, and hopefully have their accomplishments on Tour."
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