The former PGA Tour player and NBC broadcaster, Brad Faxon, first heard about Miles Russell at a junior event in Rhode Island. One U.S. Open later, he cannot stop talking about him.

Russell, the 17-year-old, shot rounds of 72-71-74-70 to finish at 7-over, tied for 39th, one of four amateurs to make the cut in the season's third major at the 2026 U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club in Southampton, New York.

"For anybody his age to even qualify for the U.S. Open, never mind competing in the U.S. Open, is impressive," Faxon told the Jacksonville, Florida Times-Union, describing Russell's performance.

"I think what happens with these young players, they aren't intimidated at major events like the U.S. Open.  Everybody that watches Miles play (sees) his short game is incredible, and his maturity is a separator."

Faxon first encountered Russell's reputation a year ago, ahead of the Northeast Amateur in Rhode Island. His friends, who watched the tournament, described a teenager who dominated with his short game.

"They were raving about him and how well he played and talked, in particular about his short game," Faxon told the Jacksonville, Florida Times-Union. "I had never heard of him, but they said he went 30-some holes without a bogey."

At Shinnecock, Faxon worked in the NBC broadcast booth and watched Russell outplay playing partners Padraig Harrington and Cameron Smith through the first two rounds. Harrington's praise of the teenager during coverage caught Faxon's attention.

"Padraig's effusive praise and Miles' demeanor, that said a lot for me," Faxon said.

Faxon pointed specifically to one aspect of Russell's game that he said cannot be developed through instruction.

"How do you teach that?" Faxon said of Russell's ability to escape trouble. "It's impossible. That's innate."

Russell's week did more than earn praise from broadcasters. It moved the needle in the rankings, too.

Miles Russell Moved Up to Fifth in the World Amateur Golf Ranking After His U.S. Open Performance

Russell jumped two spots to fifth in the World Amateur Golf Ranking following his Shinnecock debut, per the Jacksonville, Florida Times-Union. 

He became the second-youngest man to make a U.S. Open cut since World War II, behind only Beau Hossler, who was a younger 17 when he made the cut in 2012.

His final round included a touching moment. On the 18th hole Sunday, Father's Day, Russell arranged for his caddie, swing coach Ramon Bescansa, to hand the bag over to his father, Joe.

The two walked up the final hole together, as reported by Golfweek.

"It was kind of a fun Father's Day gift," Russell said. "Kind of cool since it was my first one. Hopefully it's something he'll remember for a long time."

Russell is a Florida State commit for 2027 and is currently ranked No. 1 among junior golfers in the country. He was also runner-up at last year's Northeast Amateur, the same event where Faxon first heard his name.

Do you think Miles Russell is on track to become one of golf's next big stars? Let us know in the comments.

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Written by

Sneha Abraham

Edited by

Koushik Biswas