Min Woo Lee claimed the title in 2016 and Guan has yet to put a foot wrong in his quest to follow in the West Australian's footsteps, reaching the quarterfinals at Bandon Dunes on Thursday.

In his morning Round of 32 match with American Nicholas Gross, Guan was 2-up after two holes and looked as though he would continue his dominant form of the first round of match play, but Gross bounced back to lead 1-up at the turn.

It was 2-up to the American after 10 holes and Guan appeared on the ropes before three birdies in four holes starting at the par-5 13th saw him take a 1-up lead by the time the match reached the 17th tee. A margin Guan maintained to advance.

The 18-year-old member of The Australian Golf Club who started his golfing journey at Bexley Golf Club then faced off with another American in Charlie Palmer. Guan once again winning the 1st hole, before things were squared after the 2nd.

Another hot run from the Aussie began at the par-5 3rd, Guan making four birdies in six holes, including three in a row, and turning for home with a 4-up lead.

It was more of the same from Guan on the back nine, three additional birdies delivering a 5&4 win over Palmer.

“I am really excited. The target for me this week was to make the top 64 and then focus on every match if I did make it. I did just that today,” Guan said.

Guan will now face Eric Lee in the quarterfinals, the Californian accounting for Jack Cantlay, the brother of PGA Tour star Patrick, in the Round of 16 2&1.