"I'm pretty disappointed right now, but I came here to qualify for the semi-finals so I'm really happy with that, " he said.

BBC: Shaun White wins the half-pipe at Cypress Mountain

And the challenges America faces right now -- look, the reason I'm in this race is there are people that are really hurting today in this country.

WHITEHOUSE: The White House

I'm really pleased now to be able to return to top-level racing.

CNN: STORY HIGHLIGHTS

"I really couldn't be happier -- I'm so excited right now, " Guan said on the European Tour website.

CNN: Chinese golfer, 13, to make European Tour history