As the 15-year-old continues to shine on the Korn Ferry Tour, teenage wonder Miles Russell may well emerge as the next big thing in golf.
At last week’s LECOM Suncoast Classic, Russell made his debut on the circuit that prepares players for the PGA Tour, and he seemed quite comfortable competing against more experienced opponents. He not only made the cut but also finished inside the top 20 at 14-under-par for the tournament, thanks to three rounds in the 60s and a one-under-par 71.
A few days later, the young player had a successful comeback to the Korn Ferry Tour at the Veritex Bank Championship. On Thursday, he opened play with an outstanding three-under-par 68.
Russell had eight consecutive pars to begin the week, but he broke through right before the turn at Texas Rangers Golf Club’s par-five ninth hole with a birdie. On the back nine, he really got going, recording back-to-back birdies at the 13th and 14th holes before adding another at the 16th.
After leading the first 18 holes without making a bogey, Russell made a bogey at the last to finish the event at three under. The American, who is only 15 years old, has already attracted the attention of elite players due to his incredible ascent, and he has earned a seat on the PGA Tour later this season.
When the young player tees off at the Butterfield Bermuda Championship at Port Royal Golf Course in November, he will make his PGA Tour debut. Russell’s position as the current Junior Player of the Year for the American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) allowed him to secure it.
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Driver is struck by Miles Russell during the LECOM Suncoast Classic.
Merely fifteen years old, Miles Russell l
The Korn Ferry Tour star broke a long-standing record held by the great Tiger Woods as the youngest recipient of the AJGA award. Clearly looking forward to his trip to Bermuda later this year, Russell said: “I am honoured to be receiving an exemption into the 2024 Butterfield Bermuda Championship.
“I have dreamt of playing on the PGA Tour my entire life and to have that dream coming to fruition later this year is a feeling that I cannot describe. I am grateful to the tournament and the AJGA for their partnership that is allowing me this incredible opportunity.”
As things stand, Russell is unable to earn prize money for his efforts on the Korn Ferry Tour as he remains an amateur. He currently finds himself inside the top-100 of the World Amateur Golf Ranking, whilst also making his first move up Official World Golf Ranking this week, sitting at 1738th having previously been unranked.
Discussing the experience of competing last week, the teenager said: “When I play well, I think I can compete with some of the better pros, but this week I played well and I think it kind of showed it a little bit. But good play is always good, and definitely confidence-boosting to finish where we’re going to finish today.”
