Miles Russell is the youngest player in the 2026 U.S. Open field at just 17 years old. A young man who has been driving a car for less than two years teeing it up in a major championship is a tough reality to grasp, and, understandably so, the Florida State commit’s story heading into Shinnecock Hills has been a popular one in the build-up to Thursday’s opening round.
Russell, the No. 1 junior player in the world, opted for a formal press conference on Wednesday ahead of what will be his first start in a major championship. In a rather predictable fashion, he almost immediately made everyone in the golf world feel incredibly old.
Miles Russell reads the green on the 17th hole during the continuation of the second round of the LECOM Suncoast Classic 2026 at Lakewood National Golf Club Commander on April 4, 2026 in Lakewood Ranch, Florida. ((Photo by Parker S. Freedman/Getty Images))
SCOTTIE SCHEFFLER’S FIRST ATTEMPT AT THE CAREER GRAND SLAM TOPS US OPEN STORYLINES TO WATCH AT SHINNECOCK
When asked if he had any memory of watching the 2018 U.S. Open, which marked the last time the tournament was held at Shinnecock, he responded with an answer that swiftly put things into perspective.
“Maybe bits and pieces, but that’s probably more from seeing highlights from it. I don’t know. I don’t really remember watching any U.S. Opens when I was that little,” Russell began. “I think my first kind of golf memory from watching it was maybe Spieth in 2015 at the Masters. I think really remembering it was Tiger in 2019.”
Russell isn’t talking about Tiger Woods in the 2019 U.S. Open, where he finished T-21. He’s referring to Woods winning the 2019 Masters.
SCOTTIE SCHEFFLER TELLS ONE TRUTH AND A LIE AHEAD OF WHAT COULD BE A HISTORIC US OPEN AT SHINNECOCK HILLS
Miles Russell of the United States lines up a putt on the 5th green during the third round of the Club Car Championship at The Landings Golf & Athletic Club 2026 at The Landings Golf & Athletic Club on March 28, 2026 in Savannah, Georgia. ((Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images))
Imagine that being your first real memory of watching major championship golf.
It not only shows how incredibly young Russell is, but his comments show how this next generation of players soon to make a name for themselves don’t have much recollection of any happenings before 2020.
That doesn’t mean Russell’s comments don’t make complete and total sense, because they do, given that he was born in 2008, but it doesn’t make it any easier for millennials and boomers out there to grasp with just how quickly time has passed.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE APP
Miles Russell plays his tee shot on the 11th hole during the second round of the UNC Health Championship at Raleigh Country Club on May 29, 2026 in Raleigh, North Carolina. ((Photo by Jordan Bank/Getty Images))
Russell qualified for this week’s U.S. Open after advancing in the final stage of qualifying in a three-man playoff vying for two spots in the field. He had Charlie Woods, Tiger’s son, on the bag as his caddie during the qualifier. Both Woods and Russell have committed to play college golf at Florida State.
In 2024, Russell became the youngest player in Korn Ferry Tour history to make the cut in a tournament, eventually finishing T-20.
