Miles Russell of Jacksonville Beach made the cut in the U.S. Open last week at the Shinnecock Hills Golf Club, the second-youngest since World War II to make the weekend at 17 years, 7 months. He was the youngest First Coast player to compete in a men’s major championship.
Russell made nationwide news with his play at Shinnecock, first by making the cut, then posting an even-par 70 in the final round. He then delivered one of the most heart-warming gestures of the tournament when he had his father Joe take over caddying from Ramon Bescansa for the final walk at No. 18, after Russell hit his second shot on the green.
Here’s what they were saying about Russell during the week:
Billy Horschel: ‘Exceptional talent’
“Miles is an exceptional talent. Here is a guy who has made cuts on the Korn Ferry Tour. You look at his game and how polished he is and his ability to manage his game and his emotions and how well he putts it … this guy’s got a bright future. Not many [17]-year olds are qualifying for the U.S. Open as a male.”
Steve Wheatcroft: ‘Mature beyond his years’
“He’s a unicorn. He’s a different breed. I caddied for him at a U.S. Open local qualifier when he was 13 or 14 and he finished eighth. They took the top seven. He was talking me through a shot and to hear a 14-year-old kid tell me how he was going to turn over a 9-iron into the wind, cover the bunker by 3 yards and land it pin-high … he’s always been mature beyond his years. His work ethic is off the charts. I’ve never seen anything like him.”
Russell Knox: ‘Unbelievable team’
“He’s got an unbelievable team around him, including his parents, his coach and caddie [Ramon Bescansa], and they have done a great job keeping him motivated and grounded, allowing him to be in a position to play great golf.”
Padraig Harrington: ‘He played lovely’
“He played lovely [in the first round] … two-over par was the worst he could have shot. He hit it dead straight all day. Didn’t really have himself in too much trouble at all. Probably could have been a couple better … looked like he could hit it down a rope. I think he wants narrower fairways, if you ask me.”
Jim Furyk: ‘Amazing young talent’
“An amazing young talent. He’s obviously a prodigy, a unique talent. Our city, our golf club [Glen Kernan] was buzzing to see him qualify [for the U.S. Open]. Probably the first of many, many U.S. Opens in his career.” — Beyond the Clubhouse podcast.
Bryson DeChambeau: ‘A stellar player’
“I think he’s a stellar player. He qualified for a U.S. Open. It’s obviously impressive. His game’s impressive. He’s done so much as a junior golfer, and he’ll continue to develop and become a great golfer.” — Mirror U.S. Sports
Jackson Koivun
“He’s a great kid, obviously a great player. He’s been in the game for a while and is just such a good player.”
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Miles Russell dazzles PGA Tour stars after 17-year-old’s US Open debut
Reporting by Garry Smits, Jacksonville Florida Times-Union / Florida Times-Union
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Garry Smits, Jacksonville Florida Times-Union | USA TODAY Network
