Myles Russell continues to prove himself on the biggest stage.
The 15-year-old Floridian qualified for last week’s LECOM Suncoast Classic on the Korn Ferry Tour and made the most of the opportunity by finishing tied for 15th. This cleared the way for more exemptions in Texas, and Russell opened the Vertex Bank Championship with a 3-under 68.
The left-hander started the round with eight consecutive pars, but eventually broke through with a birdie on the par-5 ninth. He followed up with a long-range bomb from 30 feet on the 11th, followed by a birdie on the par-3 12th a few minutes later. Suddenly, Russell was 3 under and in solid position through 12 holes.
Russell had another birdie Thursday on the drivable 329-yard par-4 16th. But he made a costly mistake on the par-5 final hole, three-putting from 25 feet for a bogey six.
Still, Russell played beautifully from tee to green, hitting 13 of 14 fairways and 16 of 18 greens. He scrambled well when he missed the putting surface on his approach, going 2-for-2.
But at the end of the day, Russell was 10 strokes behind Frankie Capan III, who shot a 58 and broke Scottie Scheffler’s course record in the process.
Still, Russell has a great chance to be back on the Korn Ferry Tour, one week after becoming the youngest player to finish in the top 25 on the PGA Tour or Korn Ferry Tour since 1983.
He would need another round in the 60s to compete again, but given how much talent this 15-year-old has, it’s definitely within the realm of possibility.
Jack Mirko is a golf staff writer for SB Nation’s Playing Through.Be sure to check it out @_PlayingThrough Cover more golf. You can follow him on Twitter @jack_milko In the same way.
