Tianlang Guan penalized one stroke for slow play, could miss cut as a result

AUGUSTA, Ga. - Well, this is a kick in the baby teeth. Tianlang Guan, the 14-year-old amateur who's been the story of the 2013 Masters so far, was hit with a one-stroke penalty for slow play on the 17th.

Guan was apparently warned earlier in the round, but continued to play at a slower-than-acceptable pace. This could be significant, as he finished the round at +3 on the day and +4 overall.

The cut line is the top 50 players (and ties) as well as anyone within 10 strokes of the lead. When Guan finished, the leaders stood at -5 ... in other words, Guan was exactly on the cut line. It would be a shame if a judgment-call ruling cost Augusta one of its best stories in years.

-Follow Jay Busbee all week from Augusta National on Twitter at @jaybusbee.-