It was a rare display of emotion for Miles Russell.
Junior golf's undisputed No. 1 for almost three years, Russell has collected trophy after trophy with a calm, quiet confidence. But on Friday afternoon at Saucon Valley Country Club, the 17-year-old Russell couldn't help but unleash a fist pump after a go-ahead, chip-in eagle on the 13th hole.
Russell carded two eagles and five birdies in a 2-and-1 victory over incoming Vanderbilt freshman Tyler Mawhinney to advance to Saturday's 36-hole final of the U.S. Junior Amateur.
Mawhinney is a highly decorated prospect in his own right at No. 102 in the World Amateur Golf Ranking and with a USGA ***** le already to his name (2025 U.S. Amateur Four-Ball). He entered Friday's bout with Russell, the world's seventh-ranked amateur, having played the par-3 in 8 under for the week. He was 7 under in 17 holes against Russell and still lost.
The turning point came at the drivable, par-4 13th, where both players went for the green and found the gnarly greenside rough. Mawhinney hit his chip to 5 feet before Russell popped his ball out of the rough and just onto the putting surface, then watched as it motored right into the cup.
#mawhinney #ball
Junior golf's undisputed No. 1 for almost three years, Russell has collected trophy after trophy with a calm, quiet confidence. But on Friday afternoon at Saucon Valley Country Club, the 17-year-old Russell couldn't help but unleash a fist pump after a go-ahead, chip-in eagle on the 13th hole.
Russell carded two eagles and five birdies in a 2-and-1 victory over incoming Vanderbilt freshman Tyler Mawhinney to advance to Saturday's 36-hole final of the U.S. Junior Amateur.
Mawhinney is a highly decorated prospect in his own right at No. 102 in the World Amateur Golf Ranking and with a USGA ***** le already to his name (2025 U.S. Amateur Four-Ball). He entered Friday's bout with Russell, the world's seventh-ranked amateur, having played the par-3 in 8 under for the week. He was 7 under in 17 holes against Russell and still lost.
The turning point came at the drivable, par-4 13th, where both players went for the green and found the gnarly greenside rough. Mawhinney hit his chip to 5 feet before Russell popped his ball out of the rough and just onto the putting surface, then watched as it motored right into the cup.
#mawhinney #ball
5 days ago
