14-Year-Old Qualifies For US Open, Will Be Youngest Competitor In Tournaments History
Andy Zhang will become the youngest player to ever take part in the US Open when he tees off at 11:21 a.m. ET on Thursday at The Olympic Club.
Zhnga who will be 14 years, 6 months old at the start of the tournament managed to find his way into one of golf’s biggest stages after he was named a second alternate in the field. Zhang moved up one spot when Brandt Snedeker was replaced by teenager Jordan Spieth and then one more spot when Paul Casey was injured for the umpteenth time.
Zhang actually lost his playoff at Lecanto, Florida but that sectional qualifier ultimately put him in a position where he eventually entered the US Open based on a stroke of luck.
The youngest player mark hasn’t been broken since 2006 when teenager Tadd Fujikawa made the US Open roster.
Originally from China, Zhang now lives in the United States where he attends the IMG Leadbetter Academy in Brandenton, Florida. IMG is a top-notch golf academy that teaches young golfers all the skills they need to master the game.
Andy Zhang may be a long shot to win the 2012 US Open but the experience he will gain should help hone his skills for the future. If this kid is qualifying for the US Open at 14 years old just imagine what he could be doing when he turn 16, 18 even 20 years old. Even beating only one persons score at the US Open could be a big confidence booster for this rising star.
Do you think Andy Zhang has a chance at making it past the first cut?
