Making cut would be remarkable US Open feat for 14-year-old Zhang

Being the youngest player to take part in a golf major since 1865, Andy Zhang should be told to simply enjoy the experience of mixing it with the top names in the sport, but it is not beyond the realms of possibility that he makes the cut at The Olympic Club.

Zhang may only be 14, but he has arguably earned his place in the California field after rounds of 70 and 72 during sectional qualifying in Florida.

This put him high on the reserve list and Brandt Snedeker’s decision to withdraw with a rib injury and Paul Casey’s shoulder troubles means that he will now tee off in the first round alongside 2012 PGA Tour event winner Mark Wilson and Hiroyuki Fujita.

Zhang is the youngest ever US Open competitor according to records that have been kept since the Second World War, although Young Tom Morris was a month younger when one of 13 players to line up at the 1865 Open Championship.

Tadd Fujikawa was the previous youngest US Open competitor at age 15 in 2006 and he missed the cut at Winged Foot following rounds of 81 and 77.

It is 6/1 that Zhang can better this accomplishment by making the final two rounds and he has been wise in his practice rounds by taking to the course with reigning Masters champion Bubba Watson and Aaron Baddeley.

Caddie Christopher Gold is also convinced that Zhang can give a good account of himself and believes that he is capable of making the cut.

Gold said: “He hits shots that pros can’t hit. And, with little pressure this week, I think he could do very well.”

Although 5,000/1 on Zhang winning the US Open may be fair enough, some punters may be prepared to take a chance that he can shoot the lowest opening round of his three-ball.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.