14-year-old Andy Zhang, Jordan Spieth get late U.S. Open bids

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. (June 11, 2012) -- Paul Casey withdrew from the 2012 U.S. Open Championship on Monday, June 11, because of a shoulder injury. The alternate who will take his place in the field is Andy Zhang, an amateur from Reunion, Fla., who competed in sectional qualifying at Black Diamond Ranch (Quarry Course) at Lecanto, Fla. on June 4. Zhang, a 14-year-old (born Dec. 14, 1997), shot rounds of 70-72—142 to earn first alternate position. Zhang, who is originally from the People’s Republic of China, will become the youngest to play in a U.S. Open since World War II. Tadd Fujikawa previously held that distinction; he was 15 at the 2006 Open at Winged Foot Golf Club. Zhang will tee off at 8:21 a.m. PDT on Thursday from the 1st tee with Hiroyuki Fujita and Mark Wilson. BRANDT SNEDEKER also withdrew from the 2012 U.S. Open Championship on Monday, June 11 because of a rib injury. The alternate who will take his place is Jordan Spieth, an amateur from Dallas, Texas, who competed in sectional qualifying on June 4 in Houston, Texas (Lakeside Country Club). Spieth, the 2009 and 2011 U.S. Junior Amateur champion, who played on the 2011 USA Walker Cup Team, shot rounds of 70-70—140 to earn first alternate position. Spieth will tee off at 1:14 p.m. PDT on Thursday from the ninth tee with Bill Haas and Nick Watney.