GOLF SENSATION, 15, SENDS WARNING SHOT TO PGA TOUR STARS WITH RIDICULOUS ROUND ON KORN FERRY TOUR

Teenage sensation Miles Russell could well become the next hottest star to break through in professional golf, as the 15-year-old continues to impress on the Korn Ferry Tour.

Russell made his debut on the circuit that feeds into the PGA Tour last week at the LECOM Suncoast Classic, and did not look out of place against his adult rivals. Three rounds in the 60s along with a one-under-par 71 saw him not only make the cut, but finish inside the top-20 at 14-under-par for the tournament.

Just days later the youngster returned to Korn Ferry Tour action at the Veritex Bank Championship, and once again showed his worth, carding an impressive three-under-par 68 in Thursday's opening round.

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After starting his week with eight-straight pars, Russell got himself in the red just before the turn with a birdie at the par-five ninth at Texas Rangers Golf Club. He then kicked into life on the back nine, adding back-to-back birdies to his card at the 13th and 14th, before making another at the 16th.

Russell looked set to go bogey-free through his opening 18 holes, before a mistake at the last so him make bogey to leave him three-under for the tournament. And at just 15, the American's remarkable rise has already caught the attention of those at the top of the game having earned a spot on the PGA Tour later this season.

The youngster will make his PGA Tour debut in November, when teeing it up at the Butterfield Bermuda Championship at Port Royal Golf Course. Russell earned the spot thanks to his status as the reigning American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) Junior Player of the Year.

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The Korn Ferry Tour star broke a long-standing record held by the great Tiger Woods as the youngest recipient of the AJGA award. Clearly looking forward to his trip to Bermuda later this year, Russell said: "I am honoured to be receiving an exemption into the 2024 Butterfield Bermuda Championship.

“I have dreamt of playing on the PGA Tour my entire life and to have that dream coming to fruition later this year is a feeling that I cannot describe. I am grateful to the tournament and the AJGA for their partnership that is allowing me this incredible opportunity.”

As things stand, Russell is unable to earn prize money for his efforts on the Korn Ferry Tour as he remains an amateur. He currently finds himself inside the top-100 of the World Amateur Golf Ranking, whilst also making his first move up Official World Golf Ranking this week, sitting at 1738th having previously been unranked.

Discussing the experience of competing last week, the teenager said: "When I play well, I think I can compete with some of the better pros, but this week I played well and I think it kind of showed it a little bit. But good play is always good, and definitely confidence-boosting to finish where we're going to finish today.”

2024-04-26T19:13:48Z dg43tfdfdgfd