Li,11 qualifes for US Women

Pic Courtesy: golfweek.com

May 20,2014: The 11-year-old  Lucy Li from Redwood City, California,  is set to become the youngest qualifier in U.S. Women’s Open history.

Li first started playing golf at the age of 7, when her parents discovered her aptitude for the game. Prior to golf, Li had taken diving lessons at Stanford University and was diving from the 10-meter platform as a 4-year-old. Gymnastics and music were also part of her extracurricular activities until Li picked up a club of her older brother Luke, a student at Princeton University and former high-school golfer, to hit balls on the range.

That’s when her parents asked noted instructor Jim McLean, whose students include 2008 U.S. Girls’ Junior champion Lexi Thompson, to judge her talent.

Li, was among one of five USGA members to reach the finals on April 6 2014 at Augusta (Ga.). Sixth grader, Li made most of it. Li won her age division in the inaugural Drive, Chip and Putt Championship. She scored 26 points in the three categories to edge Jacqueline Nguyen of Houston by one in the Girls 10-11 competition.

Li made headlines last summer by qualifying for a pair of USGA championships. At 10 years, 8 months, 16 days, Li surpassed Michelle Wie as the youngest match-play qualifier in U.S. Women’s Amateur Public Links history. Two months later, she became the youngest to qualify for the U.S. Women’s Amateur, where she posted a remarkable 1-under-par 70 on the second day of stroke play to miss the match-play cut by only two strokes.

No sooner, Li was competing with the game’s elite amateurs. In December 2013, Li finished 11th at the prestigious Dixie Women’s Amateur at Heron Bay Golf Club in Coral Springs, Fla. Li posted scores of 76-70-73-71 for a 2-over-par total of 290.

The U.S. Women’s Open will be played from June 19-22 at Pinehurst Resort & Country Club.