Miguel Angel Jiminez believes that 13-year-old Ye Wo-cheng is too young to be competing in this week’s Omega European Masters in Switzerland.
The Chinese youngster has accepted a sponsor’s invitation to play at Crans-sur-Sierre and he will line up against some of Europe’s best players. Ye is no stranger to playing in the bigger tournaments, in May, at the age of 12, he played in a European Tour event in his own national open at Binhai Lake.
Jiminez, who will be looking to win the tournament for a second time, insists Ye should not be playing against professionals.
He said: “For me, a 13-year-old competing against professionals is a little bit too young. People want to start things too early and a 13-year-old should be playing alongside other 13-year-olds and not players averaging 33 years of age.
“No doubt the sponsor wants publicity for the tournament but, I’m sorry, this should not be allowed. They should not be pushing kids his age too hard as it could have a disastrous effect on their careers.
“I hope he enjoys himself this week but then I saw him hitting practice balls this morning and he looked very nervous, and he should not be in that position.”
Ye will play the opening two rounds with 35-year-old Martin Wiegele of Austria and 43-year-old Mathias Gronberg of Sweden.
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