At 14 years old, most golfers aren't ready to tackle one of the sport's major championships, but Andy Zhang isn't like most teenagers. He is presumed to be the youngest competitor in U.S. Open history when he takes the course on Thursday, according to Golf.com. However, Zhang did show his age on Tuesday when he asked caddie Chris Gold if it would be all right for him to get autographs before he took the course for a practice round.

Zhang was grouped with Bubba Watson, winner of the 2012 Masters Tournament, and Aaron Baddeley. As Golf.com also writes, Zhang began the day on the ninth tee and sent his first ball sailing into the rough and the trees. He asked for a mulligan, and as Watson's caddie remarked:

"I'm like, `Dude, you're in the U.S. Open, you can hit as many as you want in practice," said Watson's caddie, Ted Scott. "I just told him, `Look, just because you're 14 doesn't mean you can't win.' I say this: I don't want to play him for money."

That's some nice praise for Zhang. Can he be the next golf phenom?

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 of the event.