Teen Golf Sensation Ready to Take on Professionals
A 14-year-old golf phenomenon is preparing to challenge some of Australia's best professional golfers in this week's NSW Open at The Vintage Golf Club. Jesse Linden, who became a social media sensation and had his own golf designer wear at just 10 years old, has been given a tournament invitation after narrowly missing qualification through a six-man playoff on Monday.
The young prodigy is no stranger to big moments in golf, having become the first international player to compete in the PGA of America Drive, Chip and Putt national final at age 12, an event that forms part of US Masters week at the legendary Augusta National Golf Club.
Home Course Advantage for Young Star
Linden enjoys a significant advantage heading into the $800,000 tournament - he is the current club champion at The Vintage and literally calls the course home. His family's residence sits along the ninth fairway, complete with a golf simulator and putting green for constant practice.
"I know the course back to front," Linden told the Newcastle Herald. "It will be a big challenge, but I'm confident all my hard work will pay off." The home-schooled teenager recently experienced a growth spurt, now standing at 170cm and weighing 65 kilograms, with driving distance matching professional averages at approximately 260 metres.
Learning from the Best
Soon after receiving his tournament invitation, Linden had the opportunity to play nine holes with defending champion Lucas Herbert, who competes on LIV Golf and has won on multiple professional tours. Herbert defeated both Cam Smith and local golfer Corey Lamb in last year's event.
"I was a little overwhelmed to start," Linden admitted. "We had a couple of good chats. I watched his processes and his practice routine. Just what he did at certain stages. I learnt a lot." The teenager even helped guide Herbert around some of the trickier holes on the Greg Norman-designed course.
Linden's coaching team includes Jason Laws at Newcastle Golf Club and he also works with Cameron Smith's coach Grant Field, who serves as a mentor and sounding board according to Jesse's father Clint.
The young golfer begins his NSW Open campaign off the 10th tee at 8:55am on Thursday, playing alongside Josh Holbrook and Caleb Bovalina. Having already carded one-under in Wednesday's pro-am, Linden approaches the tournament with more excitement than nerves, ready to test his skills against Australia's golfing elite.
