Achi news desk-
Golf fans are going to want to keep an eye on 15-year-old phenom Miles Russell.
On Friday, Russell became the youngest player to make the cut on the PGA’s Korn Ferry Tour – the organization’s development tour – breaking an 18-year-old record.
But the high school freshman didn’t stop there. On Sunday, he finished with a 5-under 66 at the Lecom Suncoast Classic in Lakewood Ranch, Fla., finishing six shots behind winner Tim Widing.
His weekend feats on the course make him the youngest player on record since 1983 to post a top-25 finish on both the PGA Tour and the Korn Ferry Tour.
“It was a great week. It was a blast,” Russell told reporters afterward. “Especially for my first one, you might get a couple of weird looks, like: ‘Who’s the little kid on the field?’ But, you know, everyone was so nice and so willing to help with everything.
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“I try to go with the flow and take it as it comes to me, and I try to keep my cool. I managed to hit some good shots at the right moments.”
Miles Russell of the United States looks on from the 17th green during the final round of the LECOM Suncoast Classic at Commander Lakewood National Golf Club on April 21, 2024 in Lakewood Ranch, Fla.
Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images
With a top-25 finish, Russell qualifies for next week’s Veritex Bank Championship at the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex.
Russell, of Jacksonville Beach, Fla., is now the youngest player to make the cut on the Korn Ferry Tour at 15 years, five months and 18 days — surpassing Gipper Finau at the 2006 Utah Championship, PGATour.com reports.
Over the weekend and through multiple rounds, he claimed 17 birdies and three eagles and played four consecutive rounds under par.
Russell, due to his age, is unable to join the Korn Ferry Tour for the next three years (players must be 18 to be eligible) but can still be eligible for tour events if he continues to post performances among the top 25.
According to ESPN, Russell is on a hot streak and this week’s achievements stem from an incredible 2023 season, in which he won the Junior PGA Championship by seven shots and became the youngest winner of the Junior Players Championship.
Russell is also the American Junior Golf Association Player of the Year, earning the accolade at a younger age than golf legend Tiger Woods.
& copy 2024 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
