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U.S. Open 2012: 14-Year Old Andy Zhang Getting Used To Autographs

When the 2012 U.S. Open begins play on Thursday, much of the focus will be on the big names of golf. Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Bubba Watson and Rory McIlroy will be some of the individuals who will dominate discussion around the galleries of the Olympic Club. However, there will be another name, which undoubtedly will come up quite a bit.

Andy Zhang, who is now the youngest entrant in the history of the U.S. Open at 14-years of age, will have to try to defeat some of the greatest golfers in the world. However, the hardest lesson he may learn is getting used to giving autographs instead of receiving them.

Via SB Nation's Brian Floyd:

"It was funny, like I was on the airplane, and then I was asking [caddy] Chris, I was like, so I get to practice on the driving range and putt and chip in the U.S. Open facility. So is that okay if I go up to Tiger and those great players for autographs. And he goes, like, no, you are going to be the one who is giving out autographs. And I came here and everybody knows me for some reason ... Yeah. I'm signing autographs, I guess "

Regardless of the tournament, the experience is something that will sit with Zhang for quite sometime.

"I am shaking a little right now sitting here. I heard Jack Nicklaus was sitting in this chair this morning. Was he? Yeah? So I'm trying to get used to this. I'm not doing quite well right now."

For more on the US Open, you can stick with this stream, or head over to SB Nation's dedicated golf hub. You can also check out SB Nation's YouTube channel:

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Photographs by spatulated, Triple Tri, and chrischappelear used in background montage under Creative Commons. Thank you.