5 things to expect on Thursday at the U.S. Women's Open

COLORADO SPRINGS, Co. -- It's time to kick off the action at the 66th U.S. Women's Open on The Broadmoor East Course, and there are already lots of stories to follow. Here are five things you should look for on Thursday:

__

__

3. A 13-year-old and a 55-year-old: Mariel Galdiano (8:50 a.m.) and Betsy King (1:25 p.m.) bookend the field this week by being the youngest and oldest players. Galdiano is a 13-year-old from Hawaii who has nothing to lose, and King is a 55-year-old veteran who admittedly hasn't played or practiced much during the previous few years.

4. The youngest African-American to ever play in a U.S. Women's Open: There isn't a single African American on the LPGA Tour right now (there have only been three in history), but Cheyenne Woods and Mariah Stackhouse offer two legitimate chances of changing that in the near future. Woods isn't in the field this week, but Stackhouse tees off at 7:00 a.m. The strong 17-year-old is a rising senior at Georgia's North Clayton High School. Her father, Ken, will be on the bag this week.

5. Long days: As Ron Sirak mentioned, rounds will probably average 5.5 hours today. The combination of length (see no. 1) and intricate green reading will exaggerate the slow-play issue that already exists on the LPGA Tour.

*--Ashley Mayo

*