11-year-old golfer Lucy Li just wants to have fun at U.S. Open

PINEHURST, N.C. — (AP) With pigtails and plenty of giggles, Lucy Li just wants to have fun like any 11-year-old girl.

Except that she's playing the biggest event in women's golf.

The sixth-grader from California is the youngest qualifier in the history of the U.S. Women's Open. She played nine holes of practice Tuesday at Pinehurst No. 2 and is looking forward to a course where Martin Kaymer won a U.S. Open title Sunday.

Li won her age division in the Drive, Chip and Putt Championship just two months ago. That means she gets to compete at Augusta National and Pinehurst No. 2 in the same year. Li says her friends back home couldn't believe it and will be watching when the tournament starts Thursday.

WSOC