Final Shot with Jonathan Lai

When did you start playing and where?

I was born in HK then moved to Los Angeles at around 18 months. I grew up in Southern California, and I believe I was 4 when my dad took me to the driving range for the first time. He also had never played before, and I remember enjoying practising with him as he learned to golf. My first golf tournament was a US Kids Golf Qualifying event at age 6, but I didn't start playing junior golf seriously until I was 9, and I've been playing ever since.

What’s been your best ever round?

I believe the lowest round I've shot so far was a 63 (-7) during the 2015 Ventura City Championship in California. But I think my personal "best" ever round was during an AJGA event at Sycuan Golf Resort in the summer of 2012. I was four over through my first nine holes, with my swing completely gone, so I decided to start half-swinging and chipping drivers 230 yards down the fairway. I miraculously managed to shoot seven under on the back (1 bogey, six birdies and an eagle) to shoot a 3-under 68. That was definitely the most memorable round I've ever played.

How would you describe your amateur golf career so far?

I think my amateur career has been very well balanced, as I've achieved many of my personal goals in golf while still maintaining my academics and my work career. Going to Yale to play for the golf team was an incredible experience for me to learn both in the classroom and on the golf course. Golf has given me the opportunity to travel to many different places in the world, and apparently, as a very competitive person, it provided me with a platform to compete against some of the best golfers in the world.