Andy Zhang, 14, to make history

Updated: June 13, 2012, 3:44 PM ET

By Bob Harig | ESPN.com

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SAN FRANCISCO -- Andy Zhang made history Monday at the Olympic Club without having to hit a golf shot.

When Paul Casey withdrew from the 112th U.S. Open, the 14-year-old Zhang became the youngest participant in the major championship's history.

Zhang, of China, who lost in a playoff at a sectional qualifier in Florida, eclipsed Tadd Fujikawa's mark when the 15-year-old Hawaiian played in the 2006 U.S. Open at Winged Foot.

Earlier in the day, University of Texas golfer Jordan Spieth also got a spot in the U.S. Open when PGA Tour player Brandt Snedeker withdrew with a rib injury.

Spieth, 18, who played for the Longhorns' NCAA title team that won earlier this month, lost in a playoff at a sectional qualifier last week in Houston.

Snedeker, who won the Farmers Insurance Open earlier this year, missed the cut at The Players Championship and then withdrew from the Memorial two weeks ago.