US Women's Open: Lucy Li, 11, cards 78 at Pinehurst
Eleven-year-old Lucy Li shot eight-over 78 as she became the youngest qualifier to compete at the US Women's Open.
The American amateur trailed leader Stacy Lewis by 11 shots after the first round at Pinehurst, the same venue that hosted last week's US Open.
Li beats the record held by fellow American Lexi Thompson, who qualified for the 2007 tournament aged 12.
England's Jodi Ewart Shadoff carded 76 alongside defending champion Inbee Park of South Korea.
Li, who won her qualifier by seven shots last month, began with a double bogey on her opening hole, the 10th, and added another double and a triple bogey alongside three bogeys and two birdies.
"I kind of struggled, but it was great," Li said. "It's not bad, but I was seven over in three holes, so that's one over in 15 holes. So I just need to get rid of the big numbers."
Despite her tender years, Li is not the youngest ever player to compete at the tournament - that record is still held by Beverley Klass, who competed in 1967 aged 10 without having to qualify.
"She looks 11. She doesn't talk 11. And she doesn't hit the ball like she's 11," said playing partner Catherine O'Donnell.
American Michelle Wie shot 68 to sit one behind Lewis, with Australian Katherine Kirk, South Korea's So Yeon Ryu and Australian amateur Minjee Lee at one under.
Australia's seven-time major champion Karrie Webb, 39, and America's 2010 US Open Paula Creamer ended level par, while Scotland's 2009 Open champion Catriona Matthew shot 75 and England's 50-year-old Dame Laura Davies took 82 for 12 over.
The Pinehurst No.2 course measured 6,296 yards - 1000 yards shorter than when Martin Kaymer won the men's US Open at the same venue last week.
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