Taking on the Kid

I wanted to see what it was like to play golf against a phenom, so I challenged 12-year-old Lucy Li. I learned my lesson.

Lucy made history last summer when she became the youngest player to compete in the U.S. Women's Open. At the age of 11, she shot 78 (eight over par) in both of her rounds. In addition to her great play, she drew attention for her style in clothes and her love of ice cream, which she snacked on during her press conference after the second round.

Off we go! Our nine-hole match was at the scenic Palo Alto Hills Golf and Country Club, where Lucy is an honorary member. She wore one of her famous colorful skirts. Safe to say, I was the more conservative dresser.

There's one thing I can definitely do better on the golf course than Lucy: drive a cart. Since she's under 16, she has to ride shotgun.

Lucy has a naturally beautiful swing. (You can't say that about me.) She's only been playing seriously for five years. (I've been doing it for more than 30.) But she's not one of those young athletes who spend all their time practicing. Most of her coaching comes from her mom and her aunt. She makes time to have fun and devotes plenty of time to school; she's already taking some ninth-grade classes.

I started out O.K., but eventually the course got to me ...

Lucy, meanwhile, had plenty to smile about.

Lucy hits the ball far for a 12-year-old, but compared to grown-ups she's about average. She rarely makes mistakes, though, and when she does get in trouble, she's great at chipping back to safety. She made this chip for a birdie.

Lucy finished with an even-par 36. I shot a 47. After it was over, she paid me quite a compliment. "You're not bad," she told me.