Golfers of all ages can qualify for the U.S. Open, but getting into the field as a 17-year-old is remarkably difficult. Not only did Miles Russell do just that on Monday, but he did so with a caddie of the same age.
That caddie is Charlie Woods, the son of golf legend Tiger Woods. The younger Woods is a golfer in his own right, but he’s serving as Russell’s right-hand man ahead of the biggest event of the amateur’s life.
Russell officially locked up his spot on Monday at BallenIsles Country Club in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, meaning he and Woods are headed to Shinnecock Hills next week.
Here’s what you need to know about Russell.
MORE: Why Charlie Woods committed to Florida State
Who is Miles Russell?
Russell, born in late 2008, is a 17-year-old amateur from Florida. He’s been named American Junior Golf Association Player of the Year twice and has appeared on the Korn Ferry tour, where he became the youngest player to ever record a top-20 finish.
Russell’s first AJGA Player of the Year award came at just 15, making him the youngest recipient ever ahead of Tiger Woods.
Russell is the 10th-ranked amateur in the world in addition to being the top-ranked junior golfer.
Still a high schooler, Russell is committed to Florida State in the class of 2027. He could have a pair of U.S. Open appearances under his belt by the time he starts competing for the Seminoles, with one now guaranteed next week.
How did Miles Russell qualify for U.S .Open?
Russell needed to finish in the top four at the qualifier at BallenIsles Country Club in Florida on Monday to qualify for the U.S. Open, and he narrowly earned a top-four spot in a playoff with Ryder Cowan and Tyler Collet.
Russell led the field through 16 holes but ran into trouble at No. 17 and slipped into a tie for third. With two more spots up for grabs behind qualifiers Giuseppe Puebla and Ben Silverman but three players tied, Russell and Cowan earned their spot in the U.S. Open in a playoff while Collet missed the cut.
Miles Russell is going to the U.S. Open!
Huge effort from the 17-year-old in Palm Beach Gardens. pic.twitter.com/j6MIYCtUS6
— U.S. Open (@usopengolf) June 9, 2026
Why does Charlie Woods caddie for Miles Russell?
Woods missed out on qualifying for the U.S. Open in his local qualifier, so he had the time to serve as caddie for his friend and future Florida State teammate.
Woods and Russell are both committed to Florida State in the class of 2027, and they both share an agent in Allen Hobbs. The two are friends, and Woods lives in Florida not too far from Russell’s qualifying site.
While Woods still has his own grand aspirations as a golfer, the experience as Russell’s caddie certainly can’t hurt for now.