12-year old golfer is the youngest player to compete in Canadian women's open

SCREEN CAPTURE / CBC

Vancouver's Michelle Liu expects to perform better next year.

After two days competing at the Canadian Professional Women's Open in Toronto, Michelle Liu missed the cut. That shouldn't be too surprising since she's only 12 years old.

Michelle was the the youngest to compete in the 47-year history of Canada’s national women’s championship is that she will be breaking the mark set by Brooke Henderson, who was 14 when she first played in the event in 2012.

“Definitely wasn't my best performance, I would say,” Michelle said after opening with a 9-over-par 81. “My chipping wasn't where it needed to be.”

She earned an exemption into the field as the top Canadian finisher at the Canadian Women’s Amateur last month. She tied for 12th at 1-over for the 72-hole tournament.

Despite her disappointing finishing, the youngster was in a good mood.

“It definitely makes me think,” Michelle told the Sun. “I'm happy that so many people are supporting me. I'm really glad I'm able to experience this sort of support.”

Her caddie and coach, Rob Houlding, who is based in British Columbia and has worked with other PGA Tour pros told the Toronto Sun that the 6,600-yard Magna course was just a bit too much for his star pupil, who missed the cut at 19-over par.

“The course is just a little too long for her to score like she’s used to, and it’s frustrating for her,” Houlding said.

“What mattered to her was that she felt it was below her potential, that’s her mindset.”

Michelle will have a year to practice for the next Open, which will be held on her home turf in Vancouver.

When a reporters asked the young golf star what’s next, the youngster looked into the television cameras and crowd of media microphones and said, “School is going on a camping trip to start the grade off,” she said.

_______________________________________________________________________