With a series of gutsy chips and clutch putts on Augusta National's pool-table slick greens, Guan notched four birdies and carded a 1-over-par 73, two shots better than Bubba Watson, the defending champion.

WSJ: Guan Tianlang: A Schoolboy Steals Day One of the Masters

By his count, by the time he assessed the penalty he had spoken with Guan at least four times.

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Guan, who started playing golf as a four-year-old, claimed the world junior crown last year in San Diego by 11 shots on the back of a flawless first-round 63, featuring nine birdies.

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