14 years old and playing the US Open

[Monty_Brown]

Strewth.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/golf/18406240

14-year-old Andy Zhang makes it into the field after Casey WDs.

What an achievement. Good luck to him. :thup:

 

[pbrown7582]

Shoulder injury flaired up after maybe coming back too soon. Good luck to the young lad.

Brandt sendeker withdrawn to replaced by amateur Jordan spelith.

 

[golfdub]

That's amazing. Imagine how proud his parents must be.

 

[FairwayDodger]

Good luck to him!

 

[Tiger]

I'm not so sure. There is some merit in the if he's good enough he's old enough argument, but 14!!!!! With the eyes of the world on him at such a major event I'd be worried about the pyschological impact. That said I always get a little wary when under 16s are thrown into a competitive environment with adults, let alone the toughest Major.

I just hope it doesn't have a negative impact on him. Huge kudos to him for making it though

 

[Monty_Brown]

I'm not so sure. There is some merit in the if he's good enough he's old enough argument, but 14!!!!! With the eyes of the world on him at such a major event I'd be worried about the pyschological impact. That said I always get a little wary when under 16s are thrown into a competitive environment with adults, let alone the toughest Major.

I just hope it doesn't have a negative impact on him. Huge kudos to him for making it though

Fair point Tiger but he was first alternate after losing a play-off for the final spot, so at least he got there through competitive play rather than a sponsor's invite as a publicity stunt.

His first practice round is with Aaron Baddeley and.... Bubba!

 

[HotDogAssassin]

How many need to withdraw before Smiffy gets the call?

 

[garyinderry]

:rofl:

 

[JustOne]

How many need to withdraw before Smiffy gets the call?

Every golfer in the world plus a few that don't even play!

 

[Durango]

Good luck to him. No chance he will make the cut though..

 

[Deleted member 15717]

Good luck to him. No chance he will make the cut though..

really? No-one thought Tom Lewis would be leading the Open after the first day either...

 

[matriga]

That's amazing

 

[Neddy]

Anyone know how far he can hit it? That might be the absolute key to how he fares!

Good luck to him!

 

[HomerJSimpson]

What was it Fergie said "if you're good enough, you're young enough". He only missed out by a narrow margin on automatic qualification and so I think he has a right to be there

 

[garyinderry]

any videos of this kid playing? i hope they show a good bit of him on sky. he must be something else!

 

[RGDave]

How many need to withdraw before Smiffy gets the call?

 

[RGDave]

Anyone know how far he can hit it? That might be the absolute key to how he fares!

Rumour has it, shorter than timgolfy and longer than smiffy.

 

[Scadge]

His coach says he's a monster (length) and playing with and watching my own 14 year old I know there's more chance that he'll raise his game than suffer from nerves. These kids are clinical, and realistically can he be any more nervous than he was in the qualifier and the qualifier playoff ? If he doesn't make the cut it'll probably be because he doesn't face this kind of set up very often, but hey good luck to the lad.

 

[garyinderry]

i hear he was raised in america so hes probably well used to those kind of courses!

 

[G1BB0]

Rumour has it, shorter than timgolfy and longer than smiffy.

well thats bloody obvious, Timgolfy is the longest hitter on the planet and smiffy...... (input what you like for this bit)