Yuan ready to swing for big-time success

A big step in Yuan's rapid development was his parents' decision to send him to Florida to study and pursue his golf dreams when he was 14. There were challenges growing up in a new environment thousands of miles away from home, including the language barrier, but Yuan, who now speaks fluent English, thrived and showed maturity beyond his years.

His mother, Li Xiaohui, recalls the drive Yuan showed from a very young age, and also spoke of his level-headed nature. "At that time, Carl was just taller than a golf club. Later we bought him a kid's 7-iron and sometimes he can hit between 600 to 800 balls. He told me the sound of a golf club hitting the ball is the most beautiful sound in the world," smiled Li.

"Carl never lost this passion, never gave up. He told his teacher in elementary school he wanted to drop some classes in the afternoon to practice his golf. Both the school and us supported him. He was also really good at solving problems by himself. When he was 12, he didn't play well in a tournament and I found him crying. Several days later, he told me 'Mom, don't worry about me, I found a way to handle pressure and I solved my problem'."

Yuan spent three years at the University of Washington which proved to be life-changing, both from a personal and professional standpoint. Aside from reinforcing his calling to make golf a career, he also met his wife, Cathy Luo Ying, who is also a professional golfer. They have since set up base in Jacksonville, Florida and are widely regarded as the "Dream Couple" among Chinese media.

"I have my wife accompanying me for tournaments, and I discuss golf all the time with my wife. We are a team," said Yuan.

The Fortinet Championship will be played at Silverado Resort and Spa in Napa, California, from Thursday to Sunday.