Miles Russell causes a sensation at the LECOM Suncoast Classic on the Korn Ferry Tour. At just 15 years old, Russell is the youngest player to make the cut on the Korn Ferry Tour. With rounds of 68 and 66 strokes, he is in T26 after two rounds.
Korn Ferry Tour: 15-year-old makes it to the weekend
Russell plays under the American Junior Golf Association and received a sponsor’s invitation for the tournament just four hours from his home town. He was already on course for a weekend sweep with his 68 in the first round, albeit a close one. He started the tournament with four birdies on the first five holes and didn’t suffer his first dropped shot until his tenth hole. On Friday, he fuelled his quest for the weekend with two eagles on the front nine, followed by two birdies on the back nine and just one bogey.
“I knew it would be a good test to see where I stood against some of the best,” Russell told the Tour. “It’s definitely something I’ll remember even when times get tough; I’ll remember that when it happens and go with the flow.”
The previous record was 16 years and 20 days and was set in 2006 by Gipper Finau, a brother of Tony Finau, at the Utah Championship. Russell surpassed the previous record with 15 years, five months and 17 days.
“It’s a cool record to break. I don’t know how much longer … people are getting so good, so young. It could last another week, you never know, but right now it’s pretty cool.”
Should Russell make it into the top 25 at the weekend, he would also be eligible to take part in next week’s tournament, the Veritex Bank Championship. The only thing he has to wait a little longer for is Korn Ferry Tour membership, for which he has to be at least 18 years old.