12-year-old Michelle Liu set to be youngest-ever in Canadian Women's Open

Michelle Liu, 12, is set to become the youngest to compete in the 47-year history of the Canadian Women's Open, breaking the earlier record set at 14 years of age.

Liu will break the mark set by fellow Canadian Brooke Henderson who was 14 when she made her debut in her national championship in 2012.

12-year-old Michelle Liu is set to create history on Thursday in the Canadian Women's Open when she becomes the youngest to compete in the 47-year history of the event.

Liu will break the mark set by fellow Canadian Brooke Henderson who was 14 when she made her debut in her national championship in 2012.

“I look up to Brooke Henderson, just because she’s a great player, great personality, Canadian,” Liu said.

Amateur golfer Michelle Liu hasn’t yet hit her teens, and says it’s “crazy” to think she’ll be teeing it up on Thursday.

Liu, 12, was the low Canadian at the 2019 Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship to earn an exemption into the field at this week’s tournament at Magna Golf Club near Toronto.

 

Asked if she was finding her first professional tournament “a bit of a crazy experience” Liu said that was “a good word for it.” “I would say I’ve got to play with some really nice and like really good LPGA players,” she said.

“Christina Kim, M.J. (Hur), and all of them. I think I really get to learn something from them, and especially how warm and welcoming they are to me.”

Although she’s enjoying the experience of meeting players she has long admired, and signing autographs for new fans, Liu was expecting a demanding week.

“I think it’s definitely going to be a challenge for me and my mental game to be able to focus and, like, keep my mind on like each and every shot,” she said.

“I know there is a lot of great players here in the field. I think I was 95 out of the top 100 players, so I definitely say it’s going to be pretty hard.

“I hope for a lot and I expect a little bit less.”