Charlie Woods takes a backseat as Miles Russell dominates USGA spotlight
Golf’s future might just have arrived sooner than expected! As the 2024 US Amateur Championship gears up at Hazeltine National Golf Club, all eyes were initially on the usual suspects, including Charlie Woods. But guess what? The spotlight has shifted, and it’s now shining brightly on another teen phenom-15-year-old Miles Russell, who’s making waves and stealing the show.The event, scheduled from August 12-18, was supposed to be a star-studded affair with the next generation of golf’s elite talents. But amidst the buzz, it’s Russell who’s making the most noise, leaving many wondering if we’re witnessing the rise of a new golf dynasty, one that doesn’t carry the Woods name.Hailing from Jacksonville Beach, Florida, Russell has quickly become the talk of the town. At just 15, this home-schooled sensation is one of the youngest to ever compete in the US Amateur Championship, and he’s already doing what Charlie Woods couldn’t-qualifying for the event. That’s right, while the son of golf legend Tiger Woods missed the cut, Russell is out there proving he’s got what it takes to compete with the best.Just last month, both Russell and Woods faced setbacks at the US Junior Amateur. But while Woods has struggled to find his groove, Russell showed everyone what he’s made of. In a tense match against Jay Leng at the Oakland Hills Country Club, Russell fought back from three holes down, nearly pulling off a stunning comeback. Though he lost by a narrow margin, his performance was nothing short of impressive.Now, Russell is one of the youngest golfers set to tee off at the US Amateur Championship. Meanwhile, Woods, despite his famous lineage, couldn’t make it past the first two rounds in his USGA debut, finishing 22 over par-far from what many expected from Tiger’s son.But Russell’s year has been nothing short of spectacular. Not only did he make his mark at the Junior Amateur, but he also debuted on the Korn Ferry Tour and even played in the PGA Tour’s Rocket Mortgage Classic. In a historic moment, he became the youngest golfer ever to make the cut on the Korn Ferry Tour, solidifying his status as a rising star in the sport.And he’s not done yet. Russell is set to compete alongside some of the best young talents in the game, including 14-year-old Jaden Soong and fellow 15-year-old Sohan Patel. This trio is sure to bring a fresh wave of excitement to the championship, with all eyes on how they stack up against each other.But the competition doesn’t stop there. Russell will also be up against heavyweights like Trevor Gutschewski, son of PGA Tour veteran Scott Gutschewski, and John Daly II, son of the legendary John Daly. With such an impressive field, the US Amateur Championship is shaping up to be a must-watch event, with Russell leading the charge as the one to beat.As the tournament approaches, one thing is clear-Miles Russell isn’t just a name to watch; he’s a name that’s already rewriting the future of golf. And while Charlie Woods might still have his day, right now, it’s Russell who’s stealing the spotlight and showing everyone that the next big thing in golf has officially arrived.
