Miles Russell, a 16-year-old from Jacksonville Beach, earned a spot in the U.S. Amateur match-play portion after a solid stroke-play performance at the Olympic Club in San Francisco. Russell finished 4-under par with a 136 total, placing solo third and four shots behind the leader.
In stroke play, Russell, who carded a 66 at the Ocean Course on Aug. 12, climbed into the top three and will now take on a familiar foe in the first round of match play: 39-year-old Travis Woolf of Fort Worth, Texas. Woolf, a former Texas Christian golfer, is 23 years Russell’s senior, adding an extra layer of drama to their matchup. The first-round duel is scheduled for Aug. 13 at 4:50 p.m. on the Lake Course.
Russell’s path to match play was built on a steady performance. He opened with an even-par 70 on the Lake Course, sandwiching a bogey with a burst of birdies on four of six holes, including Nos. 4, 6, 8 and 9. A bogey at No. 12 tempered the round, but he bounced back with birdies at Nos. 14 and 17 to keep his momentum.
The U.S. Amateur schedule continues with one round on Aug. 13, followed by two rounds on Aug. 14 and 15, then the semifinals on Aug. 16 and the 36-hole championship match on Aug. 17. Television coverage is spread across Peacock and Golf Channel, with specific windows on each day of play.
Russell has a track record of strong U.S.GA match-play performances. He reached the quarterfinals in the U.S. Junior Amateur at Trinity Forest in Dallas last month, overcoming several opponents to advance. Earlier this year, he won the Sage Valley Invitational, and he is slated to compete in the Junior Players Championship Aug. 29-31, an event he won in 2023.
In the field, Tyler Mawhinney of Fleming Island joined Russell in competition, combining with Will Hartman to win the U.S. Amateur Four-Ball in May and reaching the second round of match play in the 2024 U.S. Amateur. Mawhinney shot 70 at the Lake Course but missed the cut at 6-over 146 after a 76 in the first round at the Ocean. Carson Brewer of Ponte Vedra Beach also missed the cut, with scores of 76-77—153.
What this means for Russell is a high-profile test against a seasoned professional-style matchup early in his national championship run. If he can ride the confidence from his stroke-play performance and his past results in juniors and national events, he could continue to build momentum as a young player with potential to rise in the national scene.
Summary: Miles Russell’s 4-under 136 in stroke play earned him a pivotal spot in the U.S. Amateur match play, where he’ll face veteran Travis Woolf in a high-stakes first-round battle. With a string of strong results this season and a history of success in junior national events, the Jacksonville Beach teenager is positioned to compete at a high level and keep advancing his already impressive amateur résumé.
Commentary: Russell’s ascent showcases the depth of talent in Florida’s junior golf programs and highlights how national championships serve as a proving ground for the sport’s next generation. His early-round success and competitive mindset could make him a player to watch as the match-play format unfolds. If he continues to translate stroke-play form into aggressive, patient head-to-head golf, he could turn heads beyond this event.