New Orleans, United States: Long-time friends Carl Yuan and Marty Dou are teaming up for the first time in this week’s Zurich Classic of New Orleans with the intention to have plenty of fun and laughter as they seek to shine at TPC Louisiana.
The Chinese duo, who are both 27, have known each other for nearly 20 years since a play-off encounter during a junior competition. Their rise onto the PGA Tour has been on similar paths after taking different approaches during their amateur days.
“I think this is the best team-mate I can find,” said Dou, who is making his third appearance in the only two-man team competition which counts towards the FedEx Cup race.
“I’m excited to play with Marty,” added Yuan. “We grew up playing together since junior golf and we know each other’s games really well. We know if we have a good week out here, we can do great things.”
Playing in his second season on the PGA Tour, Yuan has enjoyed two top-five results while Dou, who has limited playing rights after finishing outside the top-125 of the rankings last season, makes only his fourth start. They featured on the Korn Ferry Tour for several seasons together, which forged their friendship even more.
Neither has made the cut with different partners previously at TPC Louisiana, which uses Fourball and Foursomes (alternate shot) formats in alternate days, but the former Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship contestants think they have a simple strategy for success this week.
“Carl has told me a lot about making birdies, so it’s good for another bogey,” laughed Dou, who was the co-first round leader with compatriot Zhang Xinjun in 2018 following a 60 but missed the cut after a second round 80.
“That could be something we think about during the first round (Fourball). We want to get to the top of the leaderboard, so you’ve got keep making birdies and there shouldn’t be bogeys, even for alternate shot. I know if I miss a shot, he won’t blame me. Even if he does, it’s between friends. I think it’ll be more relaxed. The year with Xinjun, we were leading the first round, then shot eight-over because we thought we had a lot of strokes.”
Yuan added: “No matter how we’re playing, great or average, we’re going to have a great time. We don’t get these kind of opportunities to be partners … it’s something that means a lot more to us than winning golf tournaments. Just being here, have a good time and do what we can this week.”
After dominating the amateur golf scene in China, Dou turned professional when he was 17 while Yuan took the US collegiate route, attending the University of Washington. He joined the play-for-pay ranks upon his graduation in 2018, the same year when Dou enjoyed his debut season on the PGA Tour.
Dou keeps a close eye on Yuan’s progress and has been impressed by his friend’s achievements this season. “I saw Carl had a couple of top-fives already. He’s good with those chip-ins, knocking it close for tap-in birdies. I’m expecting that from him this week. If I miss a green, he chips it in,” smiled Dou, who has a best of tied 32nd at the Puerto Rico Open this season.
Yuan is hoping he can launch a late charge to be in the running for a place on the International Team to face the US Team in September’s Presidents Cup at Royal Montreal.
He said: “Being part of the Presidents Cup is one of my top goals for the year. I will continue to work hard towards it and put in more time, more effort, and have a more complete team to help me achieve that.
“Playing great golf will take care of everything. I’ve just got to stick to my process, do my daily stuff well.”
