If anticipation wasn't high enough already for the 2012 U.S. Open tournament, a new and exciting feel-good story has been inserted into the narrative of the Grand Slam event. Following Paul Casey's withdrawal from the tournament on Monday, a very intriguing alternate was awarded the berth.

14-year-old Andy Zhang -- a native of China who has lived in the United States since he was 10 -- will become the youngest entrant to ever play in the U.S. Open.

Zhang lost a playoff in the Florida Sectional qualifier last Monday, but was already in San Francisco when he was awarded the berth and has signed in for the week. Zhang, who is already six feet tall and weighs 185 pounds, will play a practice session on Tuesday with Bubba Watson and Aaron Baddeley.

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.