Despite Starkly Different Realities, Charlie Woods Gets Rival Miles Russell’s 6-Word Stamp of Approval

Two teenagers with hopes and dreams and one sport—Golf! Charlie Woods, the young boy with a legacy to uphold, and Miles Russell—working to create one. However, as both of them are working towards finding a place in the world of golf, it’s undeniable that they’re at different points in their young careers. While one is still trying to break into the PGA Tour, the other has already made his mark.

Miles Russell has had a rather robust few months, during which he’s been making and breaking records. For instance, the 15-year-old won the 2023 American Junior Golf Association Boys Player of the Year, leaving Tiger Woods behind and becoming the youngest golfer to do so. What else? In April, Russell participated in the LECOM Suncoast Classic – his first PGA Tour-sanctioned event – becoming the youngest player to make the cut on the Korn Ferry Tour and finished at T20 with an overall score of 14-under.

Charlie Woods, on the other hand, has experienced his fair share of ups and downs, failing to pass the qualifiers for both the Cognizant Classic and the US Open. Regardless, the two young guns have shown a lot of promise, which has ignited the imagination of the golf community regarding whether or not a new iconic rivalry – like Woods vs. Mickelson – is in the making. This inquisitiveness arose during the post-round interview on Friday at the Rocket Mortgage Classic after he shot a 2-under 70.

“How well do you know Charlie Woods? Have you played with him?” asked a reporter. Miles Russell, who tackled media duties on his PGA Tour like a pro (pun intended), replied, “He was actually at my charity event I put on, the Florida Sunshine Cup. I played with him there. I haven’t played with him in a while, and it’ll be good to see him.”

Per the Florida Sunshine Cup’s website, “Miles Russell and Graden Lomax are hosting this tournament as a way of giving back through the game they love.” The proceeds go to the Nicklaus Children’s Health Care Foundation and the AJGA’s Ace Grant Program. Considering it was held from February 15 to 19, it’s been over 4 months since they played with each other. But in a month, from July 22 to 27, they’ll be battling it out on the greens at the US Junior Amateur in Oakland Hills, Michigan!

Speaking of Michigan, his PGA Tour debut at the Detroit Golf Club for the Rocket Mortgage Classic style all the limelight this weekend. And deservedly so. The club had to give Miles Russell special permission to enter the locker room because they don’t usually allow anyone under the age of 16 inside. But playing on the PGA Tour comes with its perks. That said, seeing as he’s already played in two PGA our-sanctioned events and Charlie Woods hasn’t been as successful, many started questioning the latter’s abilities.

It started during Russell’s appearance at the LECOM Suncoast Classic, only exacerbated by his PGA Tour debut. Not to mention that he won the Junior PGA Championship and Junior PLAYERS Championship (becoming the event’s youngest winner) and represented the US at the Junior Ryder Cup. But as mentioned earlier, they’re both at different points in their career, and maybe Charlie Woods is just a late bloomer. And now, they’re both focused on the US Junior Amateur.

When asked about the differences between the Oakland Hills Greens (where Miles Russell has played before) and the Detroit Greens, he said, “I think it might be a little firmer, a little faster, rough might be a little thicker, might be a little bit more of a championship-style course. I think the rough’s going to be probably five, six inches and pretty thick. I think the key’s going to be keeping it in the fairway.”

The AGJA No. 1 has already achieved so much at such a young age. Adding to the list is his participation at the Rocket Mortgage Classic through a special sponsorship exemption. So, how did the 15-year-old fair at the Motor City?

How was Miles Russell’s experience at the Rocket Mortgage Classic?

Miles Russell scored 2-over 74 in the opening round of the event. He drastically improved on the second day, scoring a  2-under 70. However, with a +4 cutline at the event, it was not enough for him to tee off on Moving Day. On Friday, when asked if he had made any changes in his approach that made him perform better in the second round, he replied, “I don’t think so. The game plan today was the same as yesterday – just try to execute it better. Did that early, just couldn’t get any putts to fall on that back side.”

This week in Detroit must have been a memorable one for the youngster, as it marked his first PGA Tour event. “The only PGA TOUR event I’ve been to is THE PLAYERS, and that’s probably one of the best ones – so this was right up there with it,” he said. While competing, he tried to stay focused during the game, but something else caught his attention at the 18th hole. He received a hearty ovation from the fans. Reflecting on this experience, he said, “The fans here, especially in Detroit, have been great and I’m looking forward to coming back in a month or so. It was just a cool moment.”

Well, Russell seems to be going in the right direction. Do you think he will continue to do so in the upcoming US Junior Amateur?