SAN FRANCISCO (AP) -- Brandt Snedeker has withdrawn from the U.S. Open because of a rib injury.
Snedeker, who won at Torrey Pines earlier this year, withdrew from the Memorial after making the cut. He did not play last week at the FedEx St. Jude Classic.
He was replaced in the field by Jordan Spieth, who just finished his freshman year at Texas. Spieth, a two-time U.S. Junior Amateur champion, was the first alternate who missed a short putt to lose in a playoff at the Houston sectional qualifier.
Also Monday, Paul Casey withdrew, paving the way for a 14-year-old from China to be what officials believe to be the youngest player in championship history.
Andy Zhang lost in a playoff at a sectional qualifier in Florida. He was the second alternate when the week began at Olympic Club. Casey pulled out because of a recurring shoulder injury.
Zhang has been part of the IMG Leadbetter Academy in Florida and is based in the Orlando area. Tadd Fujikawa previously was the youngest in the modern era. He was 15 when he qualified for the 2006 U.S. Open at Winged Foot.