Miles Russell's historic week continues as 15

Release time：2024-05-21 07:20:29 Source：Global Gaze news portal

Miles Russell, the 15-year-old Floridian who became the youngest player in Korn Ferry Tour history to make a cut, shot a 66 on Sunday to tie for 20th at the Lecom Suncoast Classic in Lakewood Ranch, Florida.

And, since top 25 qualify for the next tournament, that means the teenager will be playing at the Veritex Bank Championship at the Texas Rangers Golf Club, starting Thursday.

'It was an awesome week. It was a blast,' Russell said, as quoted by PGATour.com. 'Especially for my first one, you may get a couple weird looks, like, ''Who's the little kid on the range?'' But, you know, everybody was so nice and so helpful with everything.

'I just try to kind of go with flow and take it as it comes to me, and I'm trying to just stay cool. I was able to hit some good shots in the right moments.'

Russell became the youngest player to make the cut in the 35-year history of the Korn Ferry Tour when he posted a 5-under 66 Friday.

Miles Russell of the United States reacts on the 18th green at Lakewood National Golf Club

Miles Russell hits from the 18th tee during the final round of the LECOM Suncoast Classic

The 15-year-old looks on from the 17th green at the LECOM Suncoast Classic on Sunday 

Russell opened with a 68 and left little doubt he would be sticking around all four days. He made a pair of eagles on the front nine, one of them on the 282-yard, par-4 fourth hole, and then began the back nine with two straight birdies.

'When I play well, I think I can compete with some of the better pros, but this week I played well and I think it kind of showed it a little bit,' Russell said. 'But good play is always good, and definitely confidence-boosting to finish where we're going to finish today.'

Russell is a high school freshman from Jacksonville Beach, Florida, who has been taking online classes since the eighth grade.

The left-hander already is piling up some impressive credentials. He was the American Junior Golf Association player of the year in 2023, which included his seven-shot win in the Junior PGA Championship and becoming the youngest winner of the Junior Players Championship.

Last month he nearly qualified for a PGA Tour event, losing out in a playoff in a Monday qualifier for the Puerto Rico Open. The Korn Ferry Tour is the PGA Tour's top developmental circuit.

Guan Tianlang of China remains the youngest to make the cut in a PGA Tour-sanctioned event. He was 14 when he made the cut in the 2013 Masters, playing as the Asia-Pacific Amateur champion.

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