Bai's balancing act tipping towards tour promotion

Chasing wins in China while going to school in Florida a daunting task

Just a few months ago, Bai Zhengkai made the difficult decision to forego his senior golf season at the University of Central Florida to turn pro.

After missing the cut at the European Tour's Volvo China Open in Shenzhen in May, his decision proved a good one.

Bai currently sits 12th on the PGA Tour Series-China order of merit and has one title under his belt - last month's Huangshan Championship in Anhui province.

Despite feeling his game is strong enough to play at an elite level, Bai will return to school in the fall, when he plans to balance his studies with playing the final four events of the season in a bid to seal a place on the 2020 Korn Ferry Tour.

Last year, Bai's compatriot Yuan Yechun finished 25th on the order of merit before battling his way through qualifying to earn a card for the Korn Ferry Tour, where he is currently playing a full season.

Now Bai is looking to emulate his good friend and join Yuan in the US.

"I'm planning to go back to school but I think I can balance the schoolwork and leave to play professional tournaments," said Bai.

"Even if I get onto the Korn Ferry Tour, I will still keep up with my studies and probably take some online courses.

"Also Yuan is a very good friend of mine and we have both been coached by Sean Foley so it would be great to play together next year."

Now Bai is aiming for a top-10 finish on the order of merit, which would book him a spot in the final stage of the Korn Ferry Tour Qualifying Tournament.

Just making it to that stage would guarantee him Korn Ferry membership next year, but a top-45 finish would guarantee him starts.

Bai said he's ready to make the step up.

"I think my game is really good at the moment. I didn't have too much expectation before I came to China this summer but I knew my game was good enough to do well here," he said.

"I think my game is ready for the Korn Ferry Tour.

"I've come very close to getting into some events, and I missed the Monday qualifier by one or two shots so I hope I can play there next year. I feel ready."