Miles Russell (-8) adds a new milestone to his short but meteoric career. If yesterday we were introducing the young American to society, today he is already part of the history of the Korn Ferry Tour.
At just 15 years and 5 months old, Russell has become the youngest player to make the cut in a tournament of the second division of the PGA Tour. To add insult to injury, he did it on his debut and with quite a margin. With a three-stroke advantage over the limit. A few months ago, he surpassed Tiger Woods as the youngest junior to be World Number One and yesterday he added another medal to his backpack. Kudos to Miles.
Russell started on Thursday, in his first tournament of the circuit with a scorecard of 68, but yesterday he went up to 66. As if it were nothing, nerves? he seems not to know the meaning of that word. On the second day, he beat the course (par 71) by five strokes with two eagles, two birdies and only one bogey. Simple. One tournament, one cut.
Before starting the LECOM Suncoast Classic, the Junior Number One said that making the cut would be a great goal, well he did it in 26th place. Yesterday, after making the cut he said that his goal now could be to finish among the top 25. We’ll see where Ramón Bescansa’s pupil ends up. It is normal for him to lose steam over the weekend, but all honours to the feat achieved.
It’s impressive to see him play, but perhaps it’s even more impressive to hear him speak. A simplicity, a naturalness and a cheekiness that catches the eye. When asked about the record he had just broken, he naturally admitted that he was not aware. He then stated that the record made him happy but that it was likely to last only a week, or two, or a few months, as the level of his generation is very good, Russell defended. Not only does he not give himself importance but he praises his generation mates. There are 30-year-old players who do not speak as naturally as Miles.
Now is not the time to praise and exalt a 15-year-old boy without measure. Because that’s what he is, a boy. You never know where he might end up or if his game can develop in the right direction. There is potential, perhaps a lot, a lot. We’ll see where life and golf take him.
