“My course management is kind of fearless” - 15-year-old Asterisk Talley opens with an even-par 70 at US Women’s Open 2024

While several top names struggled in the first round of the US Women's Open, 15-year-old Asterisk Talley had an impressive start. Opening up about her game, she said she didn't get nervous and believed in maintaining a fearless attitude on the golf course.

On Thursday, May 30, Talley carded an even-par 70 in the first round of the US Women's Open. She was placed at T5, just two strokes behind the leader, Yuka Saso. She holed a triple bogey on the seventh hole and bogeyed the 17th, but barring these two errors, Talley played smoothly throughout the day. The 15-year-old picked up four birdies in her debut.

During the post-round interview, Asterisk Talley reflected on her fearless attitude and said:

"My course management is kind of fearless in a way because I always go for everything, or I used to go for everything, and I feel like that's where it comes from.

"Sometimes it's not good when you're fearless going for a pin and you hit it in the water. I feel like that's kind of where it comes from, but sometimes it's good whether you're not nervous and you just keep your composure throughout the round," she added.

The 15-year-old golfer is the youngest player in the US Women's Open field. She earned the second and final spot at the Joaquin Country Club qualifier in Fresno, California, after a 5-under-par 137. A couple of weeks ago, Talley claimed the US Women's Amateur Four-Ball title with partner Sarah Lim at Oak Hills.

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When will Asterisk Talley tee off the US Women's Open on Friday?

Asterisk Talley is grouped with Kristen Gillman and Isabella Fierro for the second round of the US Women's Open. The trio will tee off from the 10th hole of the Lancaster Country Club on Friday, May 31, at 6:56 am ET.

While Asterisk Talley is tied for fifth at an even par after the first round, Gillman and Fiero are placed at T35 and T146, respectively. Gillman carded a 3-over 73, which was one stroke better than the projected cutline. Fiero was near the bottom of the leaderboard after shooting 12-over 82.

Yuka Saso took the early lead at the US Women's Open after firing a 2-under 68 on Thursday. She made five birdies and bogeyed three holes to take a one-stroke lead over Wichanee Meechai, Andrea Lee, and amateur Adela Cernousek.

Defending champion Allisen Corpuz was one stroke below the projected cutline after shooting 5-over 75 on the first day at Lancaster. The top names, such as Lexi Thompson, Brooke M. Henderson, Rose Zhang, World No. 1 Nelly Korda, and defending champion Allisen Corpuz, are below the projected cutline and will look to make it to the weekend on Friday, May 31.