Miles Russell Shoots 2-Over 72 at 17, Sitting 4 Back at U.S. Open

Q: After his historic U.S. Open, will the teen phenom turn pro or honor his college commitment?

Miles Russell is expected to honor his college commitment, not turn pro immediately after his U.S. Open breakthrough. The strongest evidence is in the reporting around his week at Shinnecock: Russell is described as headed to Florida State and still having another year of high school remaining. Multiple references identify him as a Florida State commit, with no indication from Russell or his camp that he plans to forgo college after this performance. That fits where he is in his development. Russell is already one of the world’s top amateurs and the No. 1 junior golfer, with rare achievements for his age, including making cuts on the Korn Ferry Tour, the PGA Tour and now the U.S. Open. But his current path has been to build that résumé while staying amateur, and his U.S. Open run did not appear to change that publicly. There is also a useful contrast in the coverage: Russell was paired late in the week with Jackson Koivun, who is viewed as being on the verge of turning pro. Russell, by comparison, was consistently framed as the elite junior still on the college track. Unless Russell announces a change, the available evidence points clearly in one direction: he is staying amateur and planning to go to Florida State.

3 articles · Updated · GOLF.com · Jun 19

Two-over 72 left 17-year-old amateur Miles Russell four shots off the first-round lead at Shinnecock Hills after a steady U.S. Open debut.
Fourteen pars, one birdie and three bogeys drove the round, with Russell saying the wind demanded a conservative fairways-and-greens approach.
Padraig Harrington, 54, said Russell "played lovely" and could have finished a couple better, while coach-caddie Ramon Bescansa praised his ball-striking and near-misses on the greens.
Russell reached the field through final qualifying last week and already owns notable junior credentials, including a top-10 world amateur ranking and the youngest made cut in Korn Ferry Tour history.
Friday's second round starts at 1:14 p.m. from the 10th hole, with Russell grouped again with Harrington and Cameron Smith.