Myles Russell Set to Become Youngest Player in 2026 U.S. Open
Myles Russell will make history as the youngest competitor in the 2026 U.S. Open, stepping onto the course at just 17 years old. It’s quite a leap for a player who has only been honing his skills for less than two years, and naturally, the excitement surrounding Florida State’s preparations for Sinek Hills has captured a lot of attention leading up to Thursday’s event.
The world’s top junior player held a press conference on Wednesday ahead of his major championship debut. It was almost expected that he would quickly convey a sense of the immense pressure that comes with such an opportunity; it’s a pretty overwhelming world for someone so young.
When asked about his recollections from the 2018 U.S. Open, the last tournament held at Shinnecock, he responded thoughtfully, “I remember little bits, but I think it mostly comes from highlights. Honestly, I don’t recall watching the U.S. Open at that age.” He went on to reflect that his first true memory of golf was likely Jordan Spieth’s win at the 2015 Masters, while he distinctly remembers Tiger Woods’ triumph in 2019.
Interestingly, Russell was referring to Woods winning the Masters, not his 21st place finish at the 2019 U.S. Open. His thoughts provide a glimpse into how young players today have a different frame of reference, their earliest memories shaped by more recent events.
It’s striking to realize how time moves; Russell’s comments hint at a generational divide, especially regarding what younger players remember. Having been born in 2008, it’s a different world for him, and perhaps for many millennials and baby boomers, it’s a bit challenging to grasp how swiftly time seems to fly.
Russell secured his spot in this week’s U.S. Open by emerging from a three-man playoff for the second qualification position. Notably, he had Charlie Woods, Tiger’s son, as his caddy during the qualifier. Both young players have pledged to join Florida State University for college golf.
In 2024, he broke records by becoming the youngest player to compete on the Korn Ferry Tour, finishing in a respectable tie for 20th.
