Andy Zhang: Youngest Ever US Open Golfer Will Be Overwhelmed by Tough Course

Andy Zhang will become the youngest golfer to ever participate in the U.S. Open when he tees off Thursday at the Olympic Club in San Francisco, but against a tough course with several challenges to overcome, it's not likely that he will make the cut.

Per USOpen.com:

"

The 14-year-old, who attends the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla., earned a spot in the field on Monday when England’s Paul Casey withdrew with a shoulder injury.

Zhang, who surpasses Tadd Fujikawa (15 years 5 months) as the youngest participant (2006 at Winged Foot) in the event’s 112 playings, was the first alternate out of the Lecanto, Fla., sectional held at Black Diamond Ranch’s Quarry Course on June 4. Zhang won’t turn 15 until Dec. 14.

"

Zhang will be overwhelmed by the difficult course conditions at the Olympic Club this week. The fairways will be tough to hit consistently, his short game will have to be fantastic due to the difficult greens, and hitting the water at any time would be disastrous.

Not only will the course be hard to beat, Zhang will probably face a lot of outside pressure at the tournament. The expectations of him back home in China to do well might weigh on him. They will want him to do well, which, in turn, might give other Chinese golfers hope that they can have success on the PGA Tour.

There will also be media pressure unlike anything he's ever seen before. Zhang will have to deal with people wanting interviews, writing stories about him, etc.

There's going to be a lot of distractions that he's not used to, and when you combine that with the fact he is playing at the most difficult major championship in golf, you cannot expect him to have much success this week.

Zhang will not make the cut at the 2012 U.S. Open, but he will have plenty more opportunities to do so later in his professional career.