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Miles Russell is trying something different: Heading into match play at a national amateur championship without being the stroke-play medalist.
The 17-year-old Jacksonville Beach resident posted an even-par 70 on Aug. 11 at the Philadelphia Country Club and at 3-under-par 137 was in a tie for fifth in the U.S. Amateur stroke-play qualifier, three shots behind clubhouse leader and playing partner Tyler Watts of Huntsville, Ala.
The afternoon wave at PCC and the Merion Country Club still had a lot of golf to play but Russell will easily beat the cut to the low 64 players, which was projected to be 1-over at the time he finished his round. Given a suspension because of darkness in the first round on Aug. 10, it's unlikely the field will finish the second round before night falls on Aug. 11.
Russell's first match-play opponent won't be known until the cut is made. Match play begins on Aug. 13 at Merion.
Russell began his round at No. 10 and swapped birdies for bogeys twice before making birdie at No. 18, then turning and making another birdie at No. 1.
By that time, his spot in match play seemed secure, and he played his last eight holes at 2-over.
In match-play events with stroke-play qualifying, Russell was the co-medalist at the U.S. Junior Amateur and the medalist at the Western Amateur. He made the championship match in the U.S. Junior Amateur at Saucon Valley before losing to Noah Maclauchlan and got to the semifinals of the Western Amateur before falling to Jay Leng.
Russell reached the quarterfinals at the U.S. Amateur last year at the Olympic Club in San Francisco and lost to Oklahoma State junior Eric Lee 1-up.
Russell played in a group of three of the top four players on the World Amateur Rankings in the first two rounds. Russell is fourth, Watts is third and No. 1 Preston Stout, an Oklahoma State senior, shot 75-71--146 and will miss the cut at 6-over. He was in a tie for 185th when he finished.
It appears that Tyler Mawhinney of Fleming Island will not make match play. He shot 71 in the second round at Merion and was 3-over for the tournament and in a tie for 96th at the time he finished. Mawhinney had a 72 in the first round at PCC.
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Miles Russell coasts to a 70 to secure spot in U.S. Amateur match play
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The 17-year-old Jacksonville Beach resident posted an even-par 70 on Aug. 11 at the Philadelphia Country Club and at 3-under-par 137 was in a tie for fifth in the U.S. Amateur stroke-play qualifier, three shots behind clubhouse leader and playing partner Tyler Watts of Huntsville, Ala.
The afternoon wave at PCC and the Merion Country Club still had a lot of golf to play but Russell will easily beat the cut to the low 64 players, which was projected to be 1-over at the time he finished his round. Given a suspension because of darkness in the first round on Aug. 10, it's unlikely the field will finish the second round before night falls on Aug. 11.
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Russell's first match-play opponent won't be known until the cut is made. Match play begins on Aug. 13 at Merion.
Miles Russell had four birdies, four bogeys
Russell began his round at No. 10 and swapped birdies for bogeys twice before making birdie at No. 18, then turning and making another birdie at No. 1.
By that time, his spot in match play seemed secure, and he played his last eight holes at 2-over.
Now that’s how you get up and downMiles Russell with a little magic on the 17th at Merion. pic.twitter.com/h7quirvvF0
— USGA (@USGA) August 11, 2026
In match-play events with stroke-play qualifying, Russell was the co-medalist at the U.S. Junior Amateur and the medalist at the Western Amateur. He made the championship match in the U.S. Junior Amateur at Saucon Valley before losing to Noah Maclauchlan and got to the semifinals of the Western Amateur before falling to Jay Leng.
Russell reached the quarterfinals at the U.S. Amateur last year at the Olympic Club in San Francisco and lost to Oklahoma State junior Eric Lee 1-up.
You must be registered for see images
Russell played in a group of three of the top four players on the World Amateur Rankings in the first two rounds. Russell is fourth, Watts is third and No. 1 Preston Stout, an Oklahoma State senior, shot 75-71--146 and will miss the cut at 6-over. He was in a tie for 185th when he finished.
It appears that Tyler Mawhinney of Fleming Island will not make match play. He shot 71 in the second round at Merion and was 3-over for the tournament and in a tie for 96th at the time he finished. Mawhinney had a 72 in the first round at PCC.
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Miles Russell coasts to a 70 to secure spot in U.S. Amateur match play
Continue reading...
