Teen makes Korn Ferry Tour history in record-breaking performance

Most 15 year olds are training for their driver’s tests, lining up summer jobs and getting ready for prom. Not Miles Russell, though. He’s busy competing at the highest levels of golf.

Russell, 15, is playing in the Korn Ferry Tour‘s LECOM Suncoast Classic this week in Lakewood Ranch, Fla. — and he’s playing quite well, too. He posted rounds of 68 and 66 over the first 36 holes for an eight-under total, good for a made cut with three strokes to spare.

“I’m kind of speechless,” Russell said. “The goal was to make the cut and we made it, so we’ll see where the weekend goes.”

With the made cut, Russell cemented his spot in the record books. At 15 years, five months and 17 days old, the teenager is now the youngest player to ever make a cut in a Korn Ferry Tour event. He also joins Guan Tian Liang as the only players younger than 16 to make a cut in a PGA Tour or Korn Ferry Tour event.

“It’s a cool record to break,” Russell said. “I don’t know how much longer — I mean, people are getting so good, so young. It could hold out for a week, you never know, but it’s pretty cool right now.”

This week marked the teenager’s debut in a PGA Tour-sanctioned event as he received a sponsor’s exemption in his home state of Florida. And as soon as he arrived on the scene, he proved he belonged.

Russell birdied four of his first five holes during the opening round on his way to a three-under 68. He returned the following day and bested the score by two strokes — highlighted by a pair of eagles — on his way to the record.

“I didn’t really have any [expectations],” he said. “The goal was to make the cut and kind of see where that could go if I did, see how it goes this weekend.”

Russell is among the most promising young junior golfers in the country. Last year he became the youngest player to ever win AJGA Player of the Year, surpassing the mark set by Tiger Woods, and he’s already inked an NIL deal with Transcend Capital Advisors.

As far as the next generation of stars goes, Russell is a can’t-miss prospect.

“I knew it was going to be a good test to see where I am against some of the best,” Russell said. “It’s definitely something I’ll remember even when times will get hard, I’ll remember it when that happens and go with the flow.”

Zephyr Melton

Golf.com Editor

Zephyr Melton is an assistant editor for GOLF.com where he spends his days blogging, producing and editing. Prior to joining the team at GOLF, he attended the University of Texas followed by stops with the Texas Golf Association, Team USA, the Green Bay Packers and the PGA Tour. He assists on all things instruction and covers amateur and women’s golf. He can be reached at zephyr_melton@golf.com.