Get to Know #1 2025 athlete Henry Guan

11/16 CGC Staff

The year is 2021 at the AJGA Northwest Arkansas Junior, a year in which most open events were won by class of 2022 and 2023 graduates, and some by 2024 grads. The boys’ field didn’t have any 2025 athletes competing, as many of them were perfecting their craft against other young players in Junior All-star events. Enter 2026 grad Henry Guan, a young talent already with two AJGA top-10 finishes to his name in 2021. Guan ended up shooting –7 at the event, taking the title by one stroke against much older competitors and introducing himself to the golf world. Fast forward to 2022, in which Guan won his first AJGA Invitational at the Wyndham and finished 2nd that winter at the South Beach International Amateur, in a field littered with top collegiate players. Henry Guan had officially arrived. With early success comes pressure and expectations, and we asked Guan how he dealt with those high expectations in the past few years. He says, ‘There definitely was pressure as time passed throughout my junior career. I tried to just remind myself that I have the abilities to accomplish anything I want. It's obviously not easy, especially when it's in the back of your head constantly, but the goal is to stay patient and keep doing what you're doing.’

That mindset has led Guan to a scholarship offer to play for Oklahoma State University, where he will begin a year early in the fall of 2025 after signing on the first day of the early signing period. Guan had not originally planned to re-class to 2025, deciding about a month before he announced his commitment to Oklahoma State. ‘I re-classed to expose myself to new resources which can ultimately improve my game,’ he explained. Guan originally heard from 20-30 schools during the initial contact period, and he says that ‘about six schools were in the mix.’ The Cowboys, a consistent top-25 program which has churned out many touring pros, is the perfect place for Guan to continue to improve and thrive.

‘The main reason why I chose Oklahoma State was their golf course,’ Guan added. ‘Now that it is being renovated, I am certain it is the hardest golf course in the world. Learning how to score and play well at Karsten Creek will help me immensely with my game and learning how to perfect it’. Guan also resonated with the Oklahoma State coaches. He notes, ‘Coach Bratton has had tons of success and experience with high-level golfers that are on tour. The assistant coach Derek Ernest also won a PGA Tour event. I believe their knowledge will guide me into being a successful student athlete and player after college. The last reason I chose Oklahoma State was the guys on the team. There are a couple of guys that live in Dallas, which is cool to have, especially competing with them a bunch in junior golf.’ Playing at a high level for many years, Guan should familiarity with the freshmen to the seniors on the team.

Photo: Amateurgolf.com

Photo: Golf Digest

We asked Guan to let us in on his practice routine which has led him to be the player he is today. ‘For my practice regime, Monday and Tuesday I would focus on the basics on the range. This could include my putting and chipping drills. Wednesday through Friday I would play a variety of courses in the Dallas area. I saw major improvement in my game when playing on the course more because that is where it matters. I see my coach around once a week,’ he states. Guan is known for possessing an excellent short game, and he admits that it is one of his strengths. He notes, ‘I believe it takes a lot of practice and effort to master it. I've always had the ability to spin the ball on my chips which really helps in a variety of situations. I think the short game kind of comes naturally for me and allows me to save a lot of shots on the golf course’.

Where do we expect to see Guan on the course in late 2024 and in 2025 before he heads to school? His schedule consists of a mixture between amateur events and junior events. ‘I still have two events left on this year's schedule with the Rolex Tournament of Champions and the South Beach Amateur. I haven't planned my schedule for next year but most likely will play around four tournaments until the summer,’ he says. Wherever he is, be sure to find his name lurking on a leaderboard. We look forward to seeing him wearing orange next fall.