Golf often prides itself on fairness—where performance usually dictates recognition. Yet sometimes the results don’t match the rewards. That became clear when the name of the youngest player ever to make a Korn Ferry Tour cut at just 15 years and 5 months in Lakewood Ranch was absent from the Walker Cup team list. Fans were stunned that Miles Russell didn’t make the squad.
What makes his omission even harder to understand is his dominant run on the American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) circuit this year. Russell currently holds the number one AJGA ranking and has already won two of its biggest titles—the AJGA Simplify Boys Championship at Carlton Woods and the prestigious Junior Invitational at Sage Valley in 2025.
At Sage Valley, Russell showcased his grit and composure. Starting the final round four shots behind, he put together steady rounds of 69-70-70-70 to finish nine-under par, storming back to win by two strokes over Jackson Byrd. That victory marked his third win of the season and further highlighted why many view him as one of the most promising young golfers.
Russell has been remarkably consistent across four events this season, never finishing outside the top 10. His results include a T5 at the 77th U.S. Junior Amateur Championship and a 7th-place finish at the Team TaylorMade Invitational. With numbers like these, leaving him off the Walker Cup team has baffled many observers.
At just 16 years old, Russell already looks comfortable on some of golf’s grandest stages. During the 2025 U.S. Amateur at Olympic Club, he pulled off a memorable bunker shot in the Round of 64—holing it instead of playing safe. That spark carried him to a 4&2 victory over Travis Woolf, moving him into the Round of 32 and reminding fans why he is viewed as a rising star. Yet despite his accomplishments, the ten American Walker Cup roster spots are already filled, and Russell isn’t one of them. For many, this feels like a missed chance to spotlight a generational talent.
In contrast, Stewart Hagestad, a much older player with four Walker Cup appearances already under his belt, secured a spot on the team. Recently, Hagestad finished tied for 36th at his latest event but still claimed the Silver Cup as the lowest-scoring amateur. His résumé includes victories like the 2016 Metropolitan Amateur and multiple U.S. Open appearances. However, even Hagestad has admitted he doesn’t want golf to be his entire life, leading some to question whether his mindset aligns with the drive of younger players like Russell.
This decision has sparked debate, with many wondering why Hagestad was favored over rising stars. Fans expressed frustration, pointing out that he has already enjoyed multiple Walker Cup opportunities. Some felt the committee could have chosen someone like Evan Beck—winner of the 2024 U.S. Mid-Amateur, who dominated the final 9&8 against Bobby Massa and earned spots in both the 2025 Masters and U.S. Open.
Another point of contention is the age gap. Hagestad, at 34, will compete alongside teammates barely out of their teens—players like Mason Howell (18), Ethan Fang (20), and Michael La Sasso (21). Critics argue this further emphasizes the generational disconnect within the squad.
Even though Russell won’t play in this year’s Walker Cup, his achievements this season—historic, consistent, and headline-worthy—make it clear that his rise in golf is only beginning. His absence might be a decision Team USA regrets later, but his trajectory suggests he won’t be overlooked for long.