Stark reality of life as professional hits home for Jason Hak at Fanling
In first appearance as pro, teen is philosophical over missing the cut even though he made it through as an amatuer at previous editions
The sometimes stark realities of life as a professional hit home for Jason Hak Shun-yat as he missed the cut at the Hong Kong Open yesterday, but the teenager opted for the philosophical route when dealing with the disappointment.
"It's not the last tournament I'm going to play in and it's not the first time I've missed the cut. It happens in golf," shrugged the 19-year-old, whose nine-over par, two-round total put paid to any hopes he'd had of keeping his up-until-now impressive run going at his hometown event.
As an amateur, Hak had not missed the cut in three previous appearances at the event, but he said this time around, in his first appearance here as a pro, nothing had fallen in his favour.
There's no looking back, only looking forward. I mean, I'm still a kid and these things happen to kids
And it was his back nine yesterday that did the damage as he toiled through two bogeys and two double bogeys.
"I'm pretty disappointed, but it's all right," said Hak. "There's no looking back, only looking forward. I mean, I'm still a kid and these things happen to kids.
"There's a cut and people are going to miss the cut. I'm one of them this week, but it's all right. I'll just look forward to the next opportunity that comes in front of me."
The immediate plan for Hak is to head back to his base in Orlando, Florida, take in the festive season with a little rest and a lot of work on his game, and then sit down to plot the rest of the first 12 months of his professional career.
The youngster said he would pay some attention to his putting after finding the greens at Fanling fast and furious.
