Lin Wen-tang is hoping to bump into Jack Nicklaus at Augusta to thank the 18-time major winner for a tip that helped shape his career.
Debutant feels form on the greens will prove crucial
Lin Wen-tang admits he will have to be a quick learner on Augusta's greens if he is to make an impact on his Masters debut and is hoping to bump into Jack Nicklaus to thank the 18-time major winner for a tip that helped shape his career.
Lin will become the first player from Chinese Taipei to feature at Augusta National for some 20 years this week after a career-best season on the Asian Tour last year.
The 34-year-old won twice, in Thailand and Hong Kong, and notched up nine top-tens as he finished second in the Order of Merit, behind only Jeev Milkha Singh of India who will also be competing at Augusta this week.
Lin is relishing the chance to test himself at the fabled course and will become the first man from his country to do so since Chen Tze-chung, known better as TC, back in 1989.
"I've watched the Masters on television since I was ten," Lin said ahead of this week's tournament.
"You can see that the greens are up and down and it'll be important for me to learn how to play on them quickly when I'm at the Masters.
"I thought it was a scary place to be putting at as you can see the players are under a lot of pressure.
"I'll aim to make the cut at the Masters. There will be a very strong field and my first goal is to make the cut and then try to move up the leaderboard at the weekend.
"I'm a good putter and I hope to find a good feel on the greens.
"I've been thinking a lot about the Masters since qualifying for it and sometimes it puts added pressure on me. But it's all good and I'm looking forward to the challenge.
"I am sure there will be a lot of attention on me as we've not had a Chinese Taipei player competing at the Masters for a long time. I know there will be pressure to perform and I will try my best."
Debt to Nicklaus
Lin readily admits his father, Lin Chia - himself one of Chinese Taipei's top professionals - did much to shape his career, but has also revealed how a meeting with Nicklaus many moons ago provided some advice he still follows to this day.
As a result, he is hoping to cross paths with the legendary American this week and thank him for his tip.
"I met Jack Nicklaus when he held a coaching clinic in Taipei when I was a junior golfer," he recalled.
"He came over and told me that my head was turning too fast when I was hitting through the ball. With a club in hand, he used it to keep my head still and I've always remembered this tip.
"I hope to meet him in Augusta (as Nicklaus attends the traditional champions dinner) and tell him what he has done in my career.
"As a boy, I've watched him win the Masters. He is a true gentleman and is always smiling on the golf course. In some ways, I've tried to follow him by smiling a lot when I play as well."
