Everything about Andy Zhang's young life has been rapid. When he starts the ninth grade in the fall, he can boast having played in the US Open this summer, something that none of his classmates, and no other person in the world, can claim.
Just 14, Zhang is believed to be the youngest player in the history of the golf tournament, according to a profile at Golf.com. Born in China, he has lived in Florida since 2008. Golf brought him here. Zhang played, at 10-years-old, in a World Junior championship at Torrey Pines. From there he was at a golf academy in Orlando.
The other golfers in the tournament have been impressed with him. Even Tiger Woods praised Zhang's accomplishments, noting that age doesn't really matter.
"He qualified. He earned a spot. I tried it when I was 15, but he earned a spot," Woods said. "That's the great thing about this game, it's not handed to you. You have to go out and put up the numbers and he did."
For more on the 2012 U.S. Open Championship, stay tuned to SB Nation Tampa Bay, or visit SB Nation's golf news hub. Be sure to head over to USOpen.com for even more coverage from the event.