Rose Zhang isn’t the only LPGA Pro juggling academics and golf. Add Asterisk Talley to that list as well. And, unlike her 20-year-old counterpart, Talley still has yet to cross the threshold of college. The 15-year-old Californian, the youngest in the field, shot 1-over 71 to make the cut effectively at the 2024 US Women’s Open. 

But the conversation after the round was more about her pending homework, which she assured would get delayed after Friday. But what school does she attend? And how does she manage her academic life and dreams of becoming an LPGA pro? 

Asterisk Talley, the low-key ‘star’ of ChowChilla 

Asterisk Talley is a freshman at Chowchilla Union High School. She is coached by Todd Keogh, the social science teacher and golf coach at the school. The institution is governed by five elected board members. Per US News, Chowchilla High ranks 9,949 in the nation and 1,094 in California. 84% of the students come from economically disadvantaged sections. The student-teacher ratio at Chowchilla Union High School is 23:1. The admission fee for the school wasn’t publicly available, however. 

Talley, despite being a star among his peers, prefers to stay relatively low-key around the campus. The athletics director, Weston Borba, told the Merced Sun-Star, “She’s playing in all these big tournaments on TV, but if you see her walking around campus, she’s quiet, respectful, and polite.” Making the U.S. Women’s Open cut isn’t the only accolade in her career, however.

Asterisk Talley has also been selected for the U.S. National Junior Team. Talley, from Chowchilla, earned bragging rights at the Central Section Championship, which opened the doors of Lancaster Country Club for the teenager. This year, she has teed off in four tournaments before the U.S. Women’s Open. After the second round, the 15-year-old shared how she juggled between two lives. 

Talley gets candid about her little struggles

“I have a bunch, and it’s all due today,” Talley said in response to a question about homework. But the 15-year-old knows he’s going to have to wait. She just booked a weekend berth at the US Women’s Open. Her teachers warned her that there would be ‘no exception’ for the 15-year-old. Regardless, Talley appeared confident she could get them to cut some slack. 

“My teachers are super cool with how much I miss school. They always follow me and stuff.” And Talley made sure that her teachers didn’t object anyway. The 15-year-old shot 70 and 71 to stay in serious contention for the title. 

Talley also led the field in strokes gained off-the-tee, gaining 1.69 shots compared to the field. On the cut day, she hit 11 of the 14 fairways and 13 of the 18 greens in regulation. The Californian is playing risk-free golf, avoiding bogeys, and sneaking in a few birdies to advance her goals.