A 12-year-old has become the youngest golfer to qualify for a European Tour event after securing a place at the Volvo China Open today. Ye Wocheng beat the record of compatriot Guan Tianlang, who competed in last year's event aged just 13. Ye's two round two-under-par total of 142 at the Western China qualifier earned him a spot at the European and OneAsia Tour event in May. The amateur, who lives in the industrial city of Donggaun in Guangdong province and is a member of the local Hillview Golf Club, as he survived a late wobble to secure one of the three qualifying places available. After shooting an opening four-under 68 on Tuesday, Ye raced to the turn in his second round leading the field on seven-under following four birdies on Wednesday The pressure began to tell on a tumultuous back nine, with the 12-year-old dropping at the 11th and 14th before hitting a birdie two at the 15th. Even his eight on the par five 16th hole was not enough to derail his qualification efforts, however, allowing him to join 18-year-olds Li Xinyang and Jin Da Xing in qualifying for the event at the Tianjin Binhai Lake Golf Club in north-east China. Follow us