This 12-year-old Toronto-area golfer is representing Canada at the Augusta National

A 12-year-old from the Greater Toronto Area is competing for a coveted junior golfing title at Augusta National Golf Club ahead of the Masters. 

Audrey Lu from Vaughan, Ont., is one of four Canadians heading to the Drive, Chip and Putt championship finals in Georgia on Sunday, participating in the Girls 12-13 age group. 

“I’m really proud of all these years of hard work and practice every day which got me to where I am,” Lu told CBC Toronto. 

The U.S. junior golfing skills competition is for young golfers between the ages of seven and 15. Lu is one of 80 players who will compete at Augusta National ahead of the 90th Masters tournament.

She received an achievement certificate from Vaughan Mayor Steven Del Duca in October for being the first athlete from the city to qualify. 

Lu, who is a student at Branksome Hall in Toronto, has been playing golf since she was five years old when her mother Meng Xiao enrolled her in a summer golf camp. 

“I realized I could hit the ball so far. And every day I would come back to the course and I always had the urge, the drive to keep getting better,” Lu said.

Lu quickly fell in love with the sport and its challenges, and described the journey as beautiful. 

Her father has been her caddy for years and her younger brother attends every one of her tournaments. She said she’s grateful to everyone who cheered her on, including her family in China. 

Lu's family moved to Canada from China in 2015 when she was about a year old. A few years later, Xiao said she thought her daughter’s strong-willed personality would be a good fit for golf. After her first day, Lu told Xiao she liked the game and wanted to continue.

“She teaches us everything. She's our teacher and mentor,” Xiao said.

She said she