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Lucy Li, the youngest player to qualify for the U.S. Women's Open, finished her first round with an eight-over-par 78, at Pinehurst on Thursday. Scott Halleran/Getty Images
The 11-year-old suffered setbacks with two double-bogeys and a triple-bogey, but looked assured. David Cannon/Getty Images
World No. 1 Stacy Lewis questioned the wisdom of allowing an 11-year-old to play in the high-pressure tournament, but Li responded with a relaxed round that included two birdies. Streeter Lecka/Getty Images
Li triumphed in the USGA's historic first round of international qualifying events to book her place at the U.S. Open. TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP/GETTY IMAGES/FILE
She breaks the previous mark held by fellow American Lexi Thompson, who was 12 when she made the cut in 2007.
Li already has one notable victory to her name at the inaugural Drive, Chip and Putt Championship held at Augusta National in April. The Open is her first major tournament.
Li will have to progress fast to match the achievements of world number three Lydia Ko. She was just 14 when she triumphed at the the New South Wales Open in January 2012, becoming the youngest player to win a professional tournament. Getty Images
Age 15, Ko also became the youngest LPGA Tour winner in history courtesy of her win at the Canadian Women's Open. Getty Images
Japan's Ryo Ishikawa was the youngest male player to win a professional tournament, until he was usurped by 14-year old Pachara Khongwatmai last year. Ishikawa was 15 when he triumphed at the Munsingwear Open in 2007 and has since gone on to become a top-level tour competitor. AFP/Getty Images
Chinese amateur Guan Tianlang made history in 2013 when he became the youngest to play in the Masters at age 14. Volvo in Golf
In addition to holding the record for youngest Women's Open qualifier, Lexi Thompson became the youngest player to win on the European Ladies' Tour in 2011 at age 16 years. She has since had this record stolen, too -- by Ko, who took the ISPS Handa New Zealand Women's Open aged 15. Getty Images
