Nine-year-old golfer tees off in US Women’s Open qualifying

A nine-year-old golfer has just teed off in US Women’s Open qualifying in Florida.

Bella Simoes, a three-time US Kids world champion, has not yet celebrated her tenth birthday but is now plotting her bid to play in her first major championship.

The Brazilian youngster is one of over 2,000 entries with a handicap of 2.4 or lower to compete in qualifying ahead of the historic event’s first visit to the iconic Pebble Beach this July.

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Simoes is part of a 68-strong field taking part in the 36-hole qualifier at The Club at Mediterra today, with two qualifying spots up for grabs for the highest finishers.

The US Women’s Open social media account stunned golf fans with a video of the incredible talent striping her first tee shot in the Tuesday’s qualifying event.

The precocious youngster smashed a drive down the first hole – and even showed off with a tremendous club twirl as she got her round under way.

Qualifying for the 2023 #USWomensOpen has officially begun!

Nine-year-old Bella Simoes hit the first shot.
Follow along @FSGA ➡️ https://t.co/622czXdhXk pic.twitter.com/4aYolLLL21

— U.S. Women's Open (@uswomensopen) May 9, 2023

Australian pro Scott Hend joined the collective astonishment at the developments. He tweeted: “Holy crap…. U serious…. 9 year old trying to Q for the US Open…. thats awesome stuff…. Best of luck.”

One fan added: “9 years old, and a smoother swing than 99% of folks who play the game.”

Simoes would become the youngest player in U.S Women’s Open history if she qualifies this week, eclipsing the record set by an 11-year-old Lucy Li, who made her major debut at Pinehurst in 2014.

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She is the youngest of the 2,107 players vying for a spot in the event, with 60-year-old Kimberly Williams the oldest entry.

Meanwhile, Paula Creamer and Cristie Kerr are preparing for their qualifying rounds with the American duo no longer exempt as past champions. They will both tee it up in qualifying at the Echo Lake Country Club on May 15.

The 78th US Women’s Open takes place on the famous Pebble Beach links this summer from July 6-9.

Ben Parsons joined bunkered as a Content Producer in 2023 and is the man to come to for all of the latest news, across both the professional and amateur games. Formerly of The Mirror and Press Association, he is a member at Halifax Golf Club and is a long-suffering fan of both Manchester United and the Wales rugby team.