At Glance
‣ Miles Russell, a 15-year-old junior golfer, made history by becoming the youngest player to make a cut in Korn Ferry Tour history at the LECOM Suncoast Classic in Florida, showcasing his talent with rounds of 68 and 66.
‣ Russell’s achievement also places him alongside Guan Tian Liang as the only players under 16 to make a cut on the PGA Tour or Korn Ferry Tour, highlighting the increasing trend of young talents excelling in professional golf.
‣ In 2023, Russell broke Tiger Woods’ record to become the youngest winner of the AJGA Rolex Junior Player of the Year award, further establishing his status as a prodigious talent in junior golf with significant wins including the Junior PGA Championship and Junior Players Championship.
Miles Russell enters the weekend in style 🔥
— Korn Ferry Tour (@KornFerryTour)
Miles Russell’s first swing at a PGA Tour-sanctioned event? Oh, it just got a whole lot sweeter. At the tender age of 15, this kid made history as the youngest ever to make a cut in the Korn Ferry Tour. Imagine that!
After kicking things off with a solid 68, Russell turned up the heat with a stunning five-under-par 66 on Friday. This performance at the LECOM Suncoast Classic in sunny Florida meant he sailed past the cut by three shots. Not too shabby, huh?
In doing so, Russell etched his name next to Guan Tian Liang’s. They’re the only sub-16 phenoms to slice through a cut on the PGA Tour or its Korn Ferry sibling. “Kinda speechless,” was all Russell could muster post-round on Friday. “Aiming for the cut was the plan, and look at us now,” he added, probably still in disbelief.
Breaking records? Cool, sure. But Russell’s got his eyes on the prize, wondering just how long his new record will stand. “Kids these days,” he mused, “are just too darn good.” Will his record last a week? A month? Who knows, but it’s “pretty cool right now.”
Russell’s journey from the outside top 40 to a spectacular Friday is the stuff of legends. A front-nine 32, peppered with two eagles, set the stage. Despite a slight hiccup on the 13th, he wrapped up with a 66, landing him T26 and just six shots behind the leader, Brandon Crick. Talk about a comeback!
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Russell’s feat at the Lakewood National Golf Club is just the latest jewel in his already sparkling junior golf crown. Breaking Tiger Woods’ record for the youngest winner of the AJGA Rolex Junior Player of the Year award in 2023? Check. Winning the Junior PGA Championship and Junior Players Championship? Double check.
Heading into the weekend with flair, Russell’s not just content with breaking records. He’s eyeing a top-25 finish to snag a spot in next week’s event. “That’d be really cool,” he says, already plotting his next move. “Let’s see what more we can do.”
Facing off against some of the best, Russell knows this is a golden opportunity to gauge his skills. “It’s a good test,” he admits. And no matter what the future holds, this experience is one for the books. “Even in tough times, I’ll remember this,” he vows, ready to ride the wave, come what may.
