American Miles Russell was among two 17-year-olds who earned a spot in the U.S. Open on Monday. Still to be determined was whether Russell brings his caddie from the 36-hole qualifier, the son of three-time champion Tiger Woods, to Shinnecock Hills next week.
Russell, the No. 10 amateur in the world, survived a bogey on the first playoff hole and grabbed the fourth and final spot from the Florida qualifier. Charlie Woods is one of his close friends who has the same commercial agent and is following Russell to Florida State.
“It kept it so light,” Russell said. “It’s the first time I’ve had a buddy on the bag. I really like it, not talking much golf, just having a good time.”
Russell smiled when asked if he would have Woods at Shinnecock Hills, saying only: “We’ll see what he’s doing. To be determined.”
The medalist from the Florida qualifier was Giuseppe Puebla, who ranks second behind Russell in the American Junior Golf Association ranking.
They were among 715 players at 10 sites from coast to coast and into Canada, all of them vying for 43 spots available for the 126th U.S. Open.
Previous qualifiers were held in England, Japan and Dallas.
Vaughn Harber, who just finished his sophomore year at Ohio State, played his final five holes at The Lakes in 5-under par, including an eagle, and then advanced in the 4-for-3 playoff in one of the two Ohio qualifiers. Jackson Van Paris birdied his last two holes to qualify without extra holes.
That qualifier also produced the first player from Iceland to play in the U.S. Open, Arni Sveinsson, who plays for LSU.
In the other Ohio qualifier, Billy Horschel found a happy note in an otherwise tough season when he was among five who made it through. Tony Finau missed out by two shots and will not be at the U.S. Open for the first time since 2017.
