For the second straight year, Daniel Xu has produced a top 10 finish at the renowned U.S. Kids World Golf Championships in Pinehurst, NC.
Competing in the 11-year-old division, Xu fired rounds of 72-72-75 at the Talamore Golf Club to finish at plus-3 and tied sixth in a field of 157 players.
The result was good enough for Xu to earn an exemption into the 2018 event when he will compete for the final time as a 12-year-old. In his debut in 2016, he finished eighth in the 10-year-old tournament.
The 12th annual event is hosted by the U.S. Kids Golf Foundation and held at the Pinehurst Golf Resort. In total, this year’s tournament featured over 1,500 players from 50 countries competing in boys and girls divisions.
“The event is really cool, especially the Parade of Nations when you see the flags from all the different countries being respresented,” said Xu’s coach Nathan Leonhardt. “It’s pretty special.”
It was last summer at the Richmond Country Club when Leonhardt was asked if he would be interested in coaching Xu.
Back problems had forced the 32-year-old professional to step away from the course after a number of seasons on PGA Tour Canada, as well as PGA Tour China. That came after an impressive collegiate career that included captaining the men’s golf team at Johnson and Wales University in Florida.
He has enjoyed his time working with Xu and has since begun the process of becoming a CPGA teaching professional.
“With my competitive career, I think have more to offer than just being a teacher,” continued Leonhardt. “I certainly know what to expect and how to prepare yourself for these kinds of tournament.”
Xu concluded his busy summer at this week’s B.C. Bantam Boys Championships where he finished a respectable tie for 19th in the 14 and under tournament.
“The best thing about Daniel is his length off the tee,” said Leonhardt. “It’s his greatest advantage and once he finds ways to improve his short game he will be even better. His future is promising.”
