Chinese golfing prodigy Wenyi Ding is stepping into the big leagues this week, making his professional debut at the Hangzhou Open after an outstanding amateur career that’s turned quite a few heads.
At just 19, Ding has already reached the top of the Global Amateur Pathway Ranking and now, he’s ready to show the world what he’s made of on the pro circuit.
For those unfamiliar, the Global Amateur Pathway was introduced back in June by the DP World Tour, The R&A, and the PGA TOUR, specifically designed to help non-collegiate amateurs like Ding find their way to the professional tours.
Powered by the World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR), it’s been a pretty big deal for ambitious young players hoping to snag a coveted tour card. And after what Ding’s done in the amateur scene, it’s no surprise he’s taking this next step.
Just a couple of weeks ago, Ding pulled off a win at one of amateur golf’s biggest events—the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship in Japan.
Not only did that win solidify his place among the best amateurs in the world, but it also handed him exemptions to the Masters Tournament and the 2025 Open Championship.
But, despite those golden tickets to two of golf’s most prestigious events, Ding made the decision to turn professional, a choice that didn’t come easy.
“It was a hard choice,” Ding said, reflecting on the days following his Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship win.
“I was struggling to make that decision after winning the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship. But after consulting my family, I believe this will be the right decision.”
A little backstory here: going pro wasn’t something he jumped into lightly. Ding spent quite a few restless nights mulling over his future, knowing full well the weight of the decision.
But with his family’s support, he’s decided to trade in his amateur status for a chance to compete with the big dogs on the DP World Tour.
He’s also quick to point out how important the Global Amateur Pathway was in helping him make that call. “With the Global Amateur Pathway, it has also been really good for non-collegiate players like me to make that decision and earn their professional tour card if they play well.
There are a lot of talented players on the DP World Tour and it’s good I have the chance to compete against the best players in the world now.”
Ding’s first test as a pro will come at the Hangzhou Open on the Challenge Tour, which kicks off at the West Lake International Golf and Country Club.
And in a touching detail, Ding’s dad will be on the bag as his caddie, a nod to their close bond.
“It’s going to be a proud moment for me and my dad as I compete in my first event as a professional,” Ding said. “He has helped me a lot and has been my pillar of support all these years.”
While the excitement is palpable, Ding is keeping his expectations in check. He knows that jumping into professional golf comes with its pressures, but he’s determined to keep things as normal as possible.
“While I’m really excited to be playing my first professional tournament at home, I also want to make it feel as normal as possible and try not to put too much pressure on myself,” he added.
Ding’s debut comes in a competitive field, featuring five-time DP World Tour champion Alexander Levy and Road to Mallorca Number Three Hamish Brown.
The first round of the Hangzhou Open tees off at 6:30 am local time, with Ding starting alongside Brown and Englishman Brandon Robinson Thompson at 11:30 am.
As Ding steps up to make his mark in the Hangzhou Open, one thing’s for sure—this is just the beginning of what’s shaping up to be a very exciting professional career.
The golf world will certainly be watching to see how this young talent handles the transition and if his amateur success translates into the pro game.
