Runner-Up Finish Boosts Yuan's Olympic Prospects

College Grove, Tennessee, United States: China’s Carl Yuan Yechun took a massive step towards achieving two career goals with his third runner-up finish on the Korn Ferry Tour.

The 24-year-old from Dalian fought to a tied second place at the Simmons Bank Open for the Snedeker Foundation after signing off with a one-under 71 and a 13-under 275 aggregate. He ended the week three strokes behind winner Austin Smotherman.

Fellow-Chinese Marty Dou shared 37th place on 285 while Bobby Bai came in tied 47th on 287.

Yuan’s fifth top-10 of the wraparound 2020-21 Korn Ferry Tour season saw him leap from 41st place to 25th in the latest points standings. The top-25 players at the end of the 'Regular Season' in August earn PGA Tour cards.

His strong finish also pushed him up to 295th on the latest Official World Golf Ranking, likely placing him just outside the top-60 qualifying for the men’s golf competition at July’s Tokyo Olympics.

Yuan was in contention throughout the final round, which endured two weather delays and rainy conditions. He was in the hunt until making bogeys on 16 and 17 but ended on a high with his fifth birdie of the day on the last hole.

“I felt pretty good coming into the week as I was playing solid the last few tournaments. I struggled a little bit in the weather but I managed to stay patient. A little disappointed at the end but overall, pretty satisfied. I played well although it is a pity I didn’t win,” said Yuan.

With 12 'Regular Season' events remaining, Yuan hopes to become only the third mainland Chinese golfer to play his way onto the PGA Tour. Representing China in the Olympics has also been one of his boyhood dreams. He knows a few more good finishes before the end of the qualifying period in June are required.

“My performance in recent weeks has given me more chances to obtain a PGA Tour card. I have more impetus and more confidence. I got my reward from my training during winter, and I will try to do better,” said Yuan, who attended the University of Washington before turning professional.

“Having an opportunity to compete in the Olympics is very meaningful to me. One of my goals this year is to play in the Olympics and represent China. I need to play well in the coming weeks to achieve this goal,” said Yuan, who has posted two top-10s and three other top-20s in his last seven starts.

Dou signed off his week with a 70 and moved up one rung to 33rd place on the Korn Ferry Tour rankings to enhance his chances of returning to the PGA Tour, which he played in 2018. Zhang Xinjun is currently the only mainland Chinese player on the PGA Tour.