15 Year Old Miles Russell Smashes Korn Ferry Tour Records

Miles Russell, a name that has become synonymous with exceptional talent and potential in the world of golf. At just 15 years old, this Jacksonville Beach resident has already made a significant impact on the golfing scene. As the country’s No. 1-ranked junior golfer, Russell’s journey is nothing short of extraordinary.

It was a sizzling start for Miles Russell in the Korn Ferry Tour’s LECOM Suncoast Classic, at the Lakewood National Commander Course near Bradenton, with birdies on four of his first five holes. Despite the pressure of his first professional tournament ever, Russell posted a commendable 3-under-par 68 on Thursday, finishing tied for 45th, six shots behind leader Mason Armstrong.

Russell’s performance was marked by a strong start, with birdies at the par-5 No. 10, and Nos. 12, 13, and 14. He climbed as high as a tie for 12th on the leaderboard and was tied for 13th when he parred the last four holes on the back nine to turn at 4-under. Despite a couple of bogeys on Nos. 2 and 5, Russell managed to maintain his composure and finish strong.

“I was a little nervous,” Russell admitted during his post-round availability. “I mean, you’ve got to be nervous on the first tee but you know, it was fun. I eased into the round nicely with the birdie on the first. It made it easy.”

The second round saw an even better performance from Miles Russell as he carded not one but two eagles on a bogey free front nine and two birdies and one bogey on the back nine. His score of five under for the round allowed him to make the cut by three strokes and become the youngest player to play the weekend on the Korn Ferry Tour.

Not content to rest on his laurels, Miles Russell continued to excel throughout the rest of the tournament, showing signs of true star quality. In the third round he was 4 over through 3, thanks to double bogey – bogey – bogey on the first three holes. But he bounced back like a veteran and made no bogeys over the next 15 holes, carding an eagle and three birdies to close out the Moving Day with a 70.

In the final round, Russell matched his Friday score of 66 with seven birdies and two bogeys. His tournament score was 14 under and he finished no lower than T20 in his full tournament debut at the professional level. More importantly, his finish earned him a spot in the field for the next Korn Ferry Tour event.

Russell’s passion for golf was ignited at a tender age of two, when his father and grandfather introduced him to the sport. His natural talent was evident from the start, and he quickly became a standout player in the junior golf circuit. His achievements are impressive, with Russell being the youngest player in history to earn the American Junior Golf Association Player of the Year in 2023 and the youngest player to win the Junior Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass the age of 14.

Miles Russell: A Stellar Debut and A Promising Future

Miles Russell’s debut in the Korn Ferry Tour is a testament to his potential as a future star in golf. His performance at the LECOM Suncoast Classic was impressive, demonstrating his skill and composure under pressure. With his current trajectory, Russell is poised to follow in the footsteps of golf greats like Jordan Speith and Scottie Scheffler, who also made their marks at a young age.

As the youngest player ever from the First Coast to compete in one of the PGA Tour’s sanctioned events, Miles Russell is breaking barriers and setting new standards. His journey serves as an inspiration for young golfers everywhere, proving that age is just a number when it comes to achieving greatness in the sport of golf.