It’s been quite the year for golf. While in 2014, Rory McIlroy was the youngster’s name on everybody’s lips, in 2015, there’s one ankle-biter who has just achieved a hugely impressive feat.

His name is Cole Hammer and he’s just made the US Open. He is just 15 years old.

At such a young age, it’s hard to believe that Hammer isn’t the youngest player to ever have made the US Open – that title went to 14-year-old Andy Zhang, of China, back in 2012. However, this has done little to dampen the spirits of Hammer, who told the Dallas Morning News: “This means the world to me. I’ve dreamed about it my whole life. It’s going to be awesome.”

So just how did such a whippersnapper achieve such an impressive feat? Playing at Northwood Club in Dallas, Texas, Hammer was up against a plethora of professional players, among whom there were several PGA Tour winners.

The teenager shot 64-68 in the 36-hole qualifier, finishing alone in second place and staking his claim as one of six players to gain a ticket to the US Open. On Monday 8th June, Hammer managed to birdie four of his five final holes, securing his place as one of the top class golfers worthy of taking part in the tournament.

It’s huge news that will certainly have the bookmakers’ tongues wagging, and many experts at Bookmakers.co.uk are already considering the possibility that they may have another Rory McIlroy on their hands. Back in 2004, the 26-year-old World #1’s father made a modest £200 bet that his son would win the open within 10 years. Sure enough, his bet came in 10 years later, and he managed to pocket a cool £100,000.

This could indeed be something that Cole Hammer’s father should look into. If, at 15, he is already making his way into the US Open, then there is no end to his potential. Of course, it hasn’t come without a lot of hard graft, and the star has certainly done some growing in recent months – both literally and figuratively. In the last 10 months, he has grown four inches, packing on an essential 15 lbs which will be instrumental in giving him the strength he needs to succeed in the US Open.

At just 125 lbs now, he may not be the most heavyweight contender at the Open, but that’s not to say that Hammer won’t pack a punch – let’s just hope he lives up to his name.