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.
Golf's prodigies: Lucy Li —
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.
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The 11-year-old suffered setbacks with two double-bogeys and a triple-bogey, but looked assured.
Golf's prodigies: Lucy Li —
The 11-year-old suffered setbacks with two double-bogeys and a triple-bogey, but looked assured.
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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.
Golf's prodigies: Lucy Li —
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.
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Li triumphed in the USGA's historic first round of international qualifying events to book her place at the U.S. Open.
Golf's prodigies: Lucy Li —
Li triumphed in the USGA's historic first round of international qualifying events to book her place at the U.S. Open.
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She breaks the previous mark held by fellow American Lexi Thompson, who was 12 when she made the cut in 2007.
Golf's prodigies: Lucy Li —
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.
Golf's prodigies: Lucy Li —
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.
Golf's prodigies: Lydia Ko —
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.
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Age 15, Ko also became the youngest LPGA Tour winner in history courtesy of her win at the Canadian Women's Open.
Golf's prodigies: Lydia Ko —
Age 15, Ko also became the youngest LPGA Tour winner in history courtesy of her win at the Canadian Women's Open.
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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.
Golf's prodigies: Ryo Ishikawa —
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.
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Chinese amateur Guan Tianlang made history in 2013 when he became the youngest to play in the Masters at age 14.
Golf's prodigies: Guan Tianlang —
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.
Golf's prodigies: Alexis Thompson —
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.
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