SOUTHAMPTON, N.Y. – When it comes to U.S. Open tests, the USGA’s oft-stated goal is for players to use all 15 clubs, the extra one being a competitor’s mind.
That’s fine by Miles Russell, the world’s top-ranked junior who is 17 going on, well, closer to the age of 54-year-old Padraig Harrington, Russell’s playing competitor Thursday at Shinnecock Hills.
“Yeah,” Russell says when asked if he considers himself an old soul.
He’s a young man of few words, but when he does speak, he does so with a quiet confidence and a subtle charisma.
“I like to think I’m pretty cool, calm and collected and just go with the flow,” he adds.
Not that Russell requires saying much anyway; his game is usually big enough to handle the talking for him.
Arguably the most prolific high-schooler since Jordan Spieth, Russell has already won two Junior Invitationals, two Junior Players, two AJGA Rolex Junior Player of the Year awards, including his first at age 15, breaking Tiger Woods’ record as the youngest to receive such an honor. He nearly became the youngest Walker Cupper ever last summer, though as essentially the sixth-ranked amateur in the world, he’ll surely make this year’s 10-man U.S. team. Mind you, he’s done all this with over a year until he’s set to enroll at Florida State University.
Russell’s debut U.S. Open round began in a dense, early-morning fog, but Russell’s focus was clear as day. When Russell lagged a couple lengthy putts close to save par on his first two holes, it was an indicator of what the kid would do the rest of the round. He carded a few bogeys in gusty conditions, but it was nearly impossible for things to go too sideways considering he missed just three fairways and five greens. Russell, who finished with a 2-over 72 and four strokes off the early lead, graded the performance an ‘A,’ already possessing the proper perspective whereas many of his peers might’ve bemoaned being over par despite the challenging, major-worthy conditions.
“The way you have to play this golf course, especially with the wind we have, you just have to try to hit a lot of greens and putt it close,” Russell said.
Easier said than done, especially for a teenager. But Russell touched on such maturity a day earlier during his pre-championship presser, sharing that he most admired pros’ abilities to play “boring golf.”
“You watch them play, and you’re, like, man, this guy plays pretty boring, and at the end of the round, you’re seeing the score and he shoots like 65; you’re like, I did not see you shooting 65 out there,” said Russell, who had made a dozen starts between the PGA and Korn Ferry tours before this week. “But it’s just so kind of ho-hum and a lot of fairways, greens. It’s nothing special.”
Harrington didn’t shoot 65, but Russell did admire the affable Irishman’s attitude throughout an opening 77. Russell was smiling as well.
“It’s hard not to smile when you’re playing a U.S. Open,” said Russell, who had good friend Asterisk Talley, the country’s top female junior, following his round from outside the ropes.
Harrington didn’t want to get too hyperbolic after seeing his first 18 holes of Russell in high winds, but he was impressed.
“Looked like he could hit it down a rope,” Harrington said. “I think he wants narrower fairways, if you ask me. He looked lovely. … He’s a little guy, isn’t he? He’s 17 years of age. Can’t remember what I was doing when I was 17 years of age. Yeah, I’m sure it’s all ahead of him.”
