The attention of most of the golfing world is directed at the British Open, but some serious young golfers from across the globe are getting an early start with their own top-level competition. They are playing to win a world championship tournament in San Diego this week.

The Callaway Junior World Golf Championship is taking place at several golf courses in the area. The 9 to 10-year-old boys are playing at the Fountains Golf Course at the Welk Resort in Escondido, California. The three-day event ends on Thursday, the same day the British Open begins.

American Ricky Castillo of Yorba Linda, California, and Wo Cheng Ye of China are both ten years old, and each ended the second day of play tied for first place in their division. Both boys are under par by 7 shots.

Castillo talked about what it takes to be at the top of his game.

"I practice a lot of places. I don't just practice in one place. And I practice three or four hours a day."

In addition to putting-in a lot of time on the green, parents agreed that getting into the game early is also a key ingredient to achieving success.

"Well, definitely starting young is an advantage. When you start at a young age, like all these pros or my kids started at age six, you learn everything. At that age it's a lot easier and that stays with you the rest of your life."

Pro golfer Rory McIlroy is inspiring many of these young golfers. He was winning similar international tournaments at their age.

"I like him because he admits when he makes a mistake. And he came back like blowing up at the Masters and won the U.S. Open by like six shots."

"He's very outstanding. He just won the U.S. Open by a zillion shots. So, I think he's going to be a good golfer, too."

The 22-year-old McIlroy, the Northern Irishman who just took the U.S. Open by storm, is the favorite to take the title at the British Open this week.

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