Miles Russell started playing golf at two years old and first broke par at the age of six.
Nine years after shooting under par for the first time, Russell made the cut in a Korn Ferry Tour event, becoming the youngest player ever to do so.
“That’s pretty cool, I did not know that,” Russell said after making the cut at the LECOM Suncoast Classic.
“That’s a cool [record] to have.”
Russell shot a 3-under 68 in the opening round and carded a 5-under 66 during Friday’s second round—a round that featured a pair of eagles on the opening nine.
“I’m kind of speechless. The goal was to make the cut, and we made it, so we’ll see where the weekend goes,” Russell added.
“It’s a cool record to break. People are getting so good, so young. It could hold out for a week. You never know, but it’s pretty cool right now.”
Only one other player under the age of 16 has ever made the cut in a PGA Tour-sanctioned event. At the 2013 Masters Tournament, Guan Tian Liang of China—at 14 years old—made it to the weekend. He also made the cut at the 2013 Zurich Classic of New Orleans.
Nevertheless, Russell surpassed the Korn Ferry Tour record set by Gipper Finau—Tony Finau’s brother—at the 2006 Utah Championship. At the time, Finau was 16 years old.
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Now, Russell—the number one ranked player within the American Junior Golf Association (AJGA)—has had a tremendous opportunity to see how his game compares to that of professionals.
“I knew it was going to be a good test to see where I am against some of the best,” Russell said.
“It’s definitely something I’ll remember, even when times get hard. I’ll remember it when that happens and go with the flow.”
So far, Russell has passed the test with flying colors. Despite his young age, he looks the part of a future star.
His calm demeanor is just another reason why Russell has had so much success in Florida this week.
“Kind of keep trying to do what I’ve been doing,” Russell said Friday.
“I don’t know what the weather looks like in the next few days, but I think it’s pretty much the same. I mean, have a day like today, maybe make a few fewer mistakes, and see how it goes.”
With Russell making the cut, he has his sights set on another goal: finishing in the top 25. That could lead to another opportunity on the Korn Ferry Tour next week at the Veritex Bank Championship in Texas, but Russell is not getting ahead of himself too much—just like a seasoned pro.
Still, further opportunities will surely present themselves to this budding young star.
Jack Milko is a golf staff writer for SB Nation’s Playing Through. Be sure to check out @_PlayingThrough for more golf coverage. You can follow him on Twitter @jack_milko as well.
