SOUTHAMPTON, N.Y. — At just 17 years old, Miles Russell has emerged as a serious contender at the 131st U.S. Open, hosted by the historic Shinnecock Hills Golf Club. During Thursday’s opening round, Russell outperformed several seasoned veterans, including former Shinnecock champion Brooks Koepka, longtime major competitor Adam Scott, and three-time major winner Padraig Harrington. In a striking contrast of generations, Harrington, 54, is more than three times Russell’s age.
The sheer improbability of the moment wasn’t lost on Russell’s standard bearer, who watched in awe as the teenager stuck a precise shot into the par-3 17th hole. “It’s pretty crazy,” the Long Island native remarked, watching the young star continue his steady run.
Thursday’s performance is the latest milestone in a rapid ascent. Russell reached the U.S. Open after navigating a high-pressure playoff in a final qualifying tournament. A former member of the first U.S. national junior team, Russell previously became the youngest player to ever make a cut on the Korn Ferry Tour and has climbed into the top 10 of the world amateur rankings. At Shinnecock—a course notorious for “Shinnecooking” even the best players—he is the youngest competitor in the field.
Russell’s approach was defined by disciplined, steady play. Posting 14 pars alongside three bogeys and a birdie, he embraced a “boring” style of golf that he believes is the secret to success in national championships. “You watch the pros play and you think, ‘this guy plays pretty boring,'” Russell explained. “Then you see the score and he shoots a 65. I didn’t see him shooting 65 out there, but it’s just so ho-hum—lots of fairways and greens. It’s nothing special.”
However, his two-over 72 was anything but ordinary. Following the morning wave, Russell sat just four shots off the lead. He credited his success to patience and precision, noting that battling the wind requires hitting greens and trusting the putts, even when the conditions make every stroke a struggle.
Beyond his skill, Russell displays a maturity and poise beyond his years. He admitted to feeling some nerves on the first hole—which he noted is why he practices—but remained positive throughout the day. “It’s hard not to smile when you’re playing in the U.S. Open at 17,” he said. While he gave his performance an “A,” he humbly noted that he could have been a few shots better.
Russell also shares a close bond with Charlie Woods, son of golf legend Tiger Woods. Both are set to play for the Florida State University golf team, and Charlie served as Russell’s caddie during the final qualifying round. When asked if Charlie had reached out since the tournament began, Russell laughed, noting, “No, he’s busy. He’s got other things going on.”
The veterans have taken notice. Padraig Harrington praised the teenager’s composure and accuracy. “He played lovely,” Harrington said. “Two-over par was the worst he could have shot. He hit it dead straight all day and didn’t really get himself into any trouble.”
When asked how Russell compares to other young prodigies he has encountered, Harrington remained cautiously optimistic. “I’ll wait and see another day,” Harrington noted. “He looked very good, but it’s hard to tell in one round of golf in all that wind. He’s 17 years of age; I can’t remember what I was doing at 17. I’m sure it’s all ahead of him.”
Russell returns to the course Friday at 1:14 p.m. from the 10th hole, playing alongside Harrington and Cameron Smith. For Russell, the game remains a source of peace. He shared that his favorite aspect of golf is the solitude of playing nine holes by himself, where the game is entirely on him.
His coach and current caddie, Ramon Bescansa, expressed immense pride in the teen’s execution. Bescansa, a former professional and University of North Carolina star, praised Russell’s ability to find fairways and greens despite the challenging wind. When asked if he could have matched Russell’s performance at the same age, the 41-year-old Bescansa laughed and simply replied, “Nope.”
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