5 things to know about 17-year-old US Open golfer Miles Russell
· Yahoo Sports
Miles Russell already has been one of the biggest names in junior golf, but this week marks a new step for the Jacksonville Beach teenager: he is playing in the U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills. Russell, 17, qualified for the major through sectional qualifying, earning his spot rather than getting into the field through an invitation. That matters because it puts one of the First Coast’s most closely watched young athletes on one of golf’s biggest stages.
The moment also is notable because Russell is the youngest player from Northeast Florida to compete in one of men’s golf’s four majors. On Sunday, June 21, Russell starts the fourth round of the tournament at 7-over 217 and tied for 47th.
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Here's what you should know about Miles Russell.
1. He’s making local golf history
Russell, a Jacksonville Beach native, became the youngest player in First Coast history to compete in one of men’s golf’s four professional majors when he teed off in the U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills on June 18.
At 17 years, 7 months and 17 days old, he broke the local mark previously held by David Duval, who was 18 years, 7 months and 5 days when he played the 1990 U.S. Open.
2. He earned his spot through U.S. Open qualifying
Russell got into the field by shooting 71-67—138 and then winning a playoff on the second extra hole at a U.S. Open sectional qualifier on June 8 at BallenIsles Country Club in Palm Beach Gardens.
The Jacksonville Beach teen had come close before, missing the qualifying bubble by three shots in 2024 and by one shot in 2025. This time, he got through after a day that included a triple bogey, a double bogey and a playoff against club pro Tyler Collet and Ryder Cowan.
Russell said after qualifying, “Earning your way is definitely special. Somebody's not just handing you something."
3. He’s not new to high-level pro events, even as an amateur
The U.S. Open is his first major, but it is not his first experience in professional tournaments. Russell is playing in his 13th professional event as an amateur.
He has played in seven Korn Ferry Tour events and five PGA Tour events before this week, making four cuts total. His best finish so far was a tie for 15th earlier this year at the Korn Ferry Tour’s Club Car Championship in Savannah, Ga.
He became the youngest player in history to make the cut at a Korn Ferry Tour event in 2024.
4. His junior golf résumé is already unusually deep
Russell has won more than 30 junior tournaments, and he is the only player to win both the Junior Players and the Sage Valley Invitational twice each.
His career highlights also include becoming the youngest winner of the AJGA Player of the Year award, a record that had been held by Tiger Woods. He has won 14 Florida Junior Tour events and eight AJGA events.
Russell is ranked No. 1 in the AJGA Ranking, Junior Golf Scoreboard, University Golf Junior Ranking and Junior Presidents Cup Ranking. He also is ranked No. 11 in the World Amateur Ranking.
5. He arrived early at Shinnecock and says he wants to learn from the week
Russell and his team arrived at Shinnecock a week before the first round to play practice rounds and prepare for a course he described as extremely demanding. His early assessment was that hitting fairways would be critical.
His caddie this week is swing coach Ramon Bescansa, who also helped Russell Knox at Shinnecock in 2018, according to the notes. Russell had previously used Charlie Woods on the bag during qualifying.
As for expectations, Russell said his goals are to “Have fun and learn” while trying to play well. He also is looking at the week as another step in his development, with making the cut and competing for low amateur among the obvious benchmarks.
This story was created by Gary Mills, [email protected], with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI), based on original reporting by Times-Union golf reporter Garry Smits. Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing process. Learn more at cm.usatoday.com/ethical-conduct.
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Who is Miles Russell? What to know about US Open 2026 qualifier