With both Charlie Woods and Miles Russell committing to the Florida State University, there was an assumption that Woods would caddie for Russell once again at the 2026 U.S Open. But recent reports say that, at Shinnecock Hills, a different caddie will carry the bag for Russell.

TWLEGION confirmed on X on June 12 that Woods will not caddie for Miles Russell at the 2026 U.S. Open. Russell announced on a call with local media that his swing coach, Ramon Bescansa, will carry his bag at Shinnecock Hills instead.

"Ramon's kind of been on my bag in all my big events, whether it was Rocket or my first Korn Ferry," Russell said as reported by Golfweek, "I think it's just a comfortability thing."

Bescansa's familiarity with the course made the switch logical. Bescansa, who teaches out of the Glen Kernan Club in Jacksonville, also brings firsthand knowledge of Shinnecock Hills.

He caddied there for pro Russell Knox at the 2018 U.S. Open, the last time the national championship was held at the venue.

Previously, Woods had caddied for Russell during U.S. Open final qualifying at BallenIsles Country Club in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, on June 8.

As the world's top-ranked junior and No. 10 amateur, Russell was caddied for by Woods, 17. Russell described the interaction in the same June 12 Golf Week report.

"He was great. We just walked and talked and laughed," he said. "He helped me the most by staying calm and just taking my mind off what was going on. It was a pretty stressful day."

Woods did not qualify for the U.S. Open himself. His local qualifying bid fell short, though he recently secured a spot in his third consecutive U.S. Junior Amateur.

Both young players are committed to Florida State's 2027 recruiting class and share representation under agent Allen Hobbs of Players Group Management.

Russell, though young compared to most of the field, is not to be overlooked.

Miles Russell Arrives at Shinnecock Hills With a Resume That Goes Beyond His Age

Russell, a two-time American Junior Golf Association Rolex Junior Player of the Year, first claimed the honor at 15, breaking a record previously held by Tiger Woods, Charlie's father.

His major amateur resume has been building steadily. He made his PGA Tour debut at the Rocket Classic and has also competed on the Korn Ferry Tour.

Russell won the 2023 Boys Junior PGA, became the first two-time Junior Players Champion (2023, 2025), and helped the U.S. win the 2025 Junior Ryder Cup.'

Earlier this year, he had planned to caddie for Asterisk Talley at the Augusta National Women's Amateur before a Korn Ferry Tour opportunity forced him to withdraw from that commitment.

Bescansa will be on the bag at Shinnecock Hills as Russell prepares for his first U.S. Open start.

Do you think Miles Russell can make a cut at the U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills? Let us know in the comments.

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Written by

Sneha Abraham

Edited by

Surjo Ray