Miles Russell made history at Shinnecock Hills on Friday.
The 17 year old from Jacksonville Beach, Florida shot rounds of 72-71 to finish at 3-over 143, making the cut at the 2026 U.S. Open by one stroke. Russell is the second youngest player to make a U.S. Open cut since World War II. Only Beau Hossler was younger, making the cut at the 2012 U.S. Open at 17 years and 91 days old. Russell is 17 years and 231 days.
“It’s really special to get to play the weekend here, just in any tournament,” Russell said. “But making a major, my first one, it’s super special, and I’m looking forward to it.”
Russell started his second round at the 10th hole and went 2-under through Shinnecock’s back nine, making birdies at Nos. 12 and 15. He made three bogeys on his front nine but held on to finish inside the number. He hit nine of 14 fairways and 10 of 18 greens in regulation.
“I played okay today,” Russell said. “I played really well on the front side and maybe got a little loose there on the back side. Other than that, I feel like it was a great day.”
Russell’s 3-over 36-hole total bettered 11 past major champions, including Hideki Matsuyama (4-over), Bryson DeChambeau and Patrick Reed (5-over), Shane Lowry, Jon Rahm, and Cameron Smith (6-over).
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He is one of five amateurs to make the cut, second among them behind Ryder Cowan (even par). Russell played the first two rounds alongside 54 year old Padraig Harrington and Cameron Smith.
“It’s been really cool watching Cam and Padraig,” Russell said. “Just the way they go about it. You’re learning things.”
Harrington was impressed with what he saw from the teenager. “He played lovely golf, hit it — looked like he could hit it down a rope,” Harrington said. “I think he wants narrower fairways, if you ask me.”
Russell had this to say when asked what playing alongside the pros has taught him. “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.’ But it’s just so kind of ho-hum and a lot of fairway, greens. It’s nothing special.”
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Russell, the No. 1-ranked junior player in the world and a Florida State commit, qualified for the U.S. Open on June 8 on his 38th hole of the day via playoff. Charlie Woods, Tiger’s son and fellow Florida State commit, caddied for Russell during qualifying.
Earlier this year, Russell made his first PGA Tour cut at the Puerto Rico Open, tying for 50th. In 2024, he became the youngest player to make a Korn Ferry Tour cut.
Russell tees off Saturday at 10:17 a.m. ET alongside fellow amateur Jackson Koivun at Shinnecock Hills.
