15-year-old Asterisk Talley shining in U.S. Women’s Open debut, making memories

Asterisk Talley’s first name means “little star” in Greek, but at the U.S. Women’s Open this week, she was one of the biggest stars at Lancaster Country Club.

Talley, a high school freshman, shot a round of par 70 on the first day and a 1-over 71 on Friday. With the average score hovering around 75, Talley played admirably considering this is a course that has sent superstars Nelly Korda, Lexi Thompson and Rose Chan into the abyss.

But about two months after tying for eighth at the Augusta National Women’s Amateur Championship, the 15-year-old was hoping to make the cut.

“I guess I was expecting to at least qualify, that’s what I wanted to do,” Tully said Friday.

“I would have liked to win as the lowest amateur if I could achieve that, but after today’s round I still feel like it’s achievable. Right now I feel like I’m doing what I want to do and I’m really happy with where I am right now.”

Although Tully faces tough competition from other talented amateurs on the leaderboard, the low amateur spot is still up for grabs for him.

Still, the 15-year-old has a chance to do something special this week. Not only is her game great, but she also relies on a cool, calm demeanor on the golf course that has served her well so far.

“I don’t get too excited on the golf course,” Tully explained.

“When I get a birdie, I’m like, oh well, whatever, and when I get a bogey, I’m like, oh well, I’ll get a birdie on the next hole. I’m not really a competitive guy. I think I’m a calm, cool-headed guy.”

Her day began on the difficult par-4 10th hole, where Tully made par.

She made par on the 11th hole but nearly suffered disaster on the now-infamous par-3 12th hole.

“I think I hit the ball into the water early in the round on the 12th hole, and then I had a bogey from like eight feet, but I made it,” Tully explained.

Logan Whitton/USGA

“I think that was a big boost for the round because if I’d scored a double on that hole it could have really ruined my round. I think that was a big factor. After that I just kept on making pars and just played solid golf.”

Avoiding double bogeys is crucial in the U.S. Open, and the bogey save was huge for Tully.

She had just one bogey on the long uphill 18th hole, then bounced back with a birdie on the par-3 sixth hole. Talley finished with three straight pars and was two strokes behind the leader when she left the golf course.

“I’m just trying to have a good time here and make my first Open a memorable one that I can always look back on and say I had the best time of my life. I feel like I didn’t have much fun earlier this week,” Tully said.

“Then I started playing tournament rounds and I had a lot of fun playing here. I hope I can look back and remember this time because I’m having the best time of my life.”

Regardless of what happens this weekend, Tully’s U.S. Women’s Open debut will be nothing short of impressive. She’s playing a weekend in the biggest event in women’s golf, and it’s a testament to her immense talent and mental toughness.

Her biggest problem right now might be that she’s a little behind on her homework.

Jack Mirko is a golf staff writer for SB Nation Playing Through. Follow For more golf articles, follow us on Twitter Jack Mirko In the same way.