Andy Zhang just might steal the attention from an already buzzworthy U.S. Open come Thursday, as the youngest player to enter the event at 14 years old. Zhang went through a practice session on Tuesday with 2012 Masters champion Bubba Watson and Aaron Baddeley.
The kid was nervous, and rightfully so. He hit a poor tee shot on the first practice hole and asked Watson if he could hit another shot, already using that innocent childlike appeal to his psychological advantage.
Here is what Watson had to say about the 6-foot eighth grade graduate:
"It was fun getting to meet him and watching a talent like that," Watson said. "He's a big boy for 14, and he can hit it good. Obviously at 14 he's got a lot of growing up to do with his game. Obviously he can play. He's in the U.S. Open. It's not like it just luckily happened."
Zhang will be rooting for the Miami Heat tonight, perhaps one of few things that he will be able to escape to before this historic moment at the U.S. Open.
For all your news and updates in the run up to the 2012 U.S. Open at Olympic, visit SB Nation's dedicated golf hub. Be sure to head over to USOpen.com for even more coverage from the event.