Miles Russell, a 17-year-old amateur, earns a spot in the 2026 U.S. Open after succeeding in a 36-hole qualifying event. Multiple outlets report that Russell’s caddie for the qualifier is Charlie Woods, the son of 15-time major champion Tiger Woods and a close friend of Russell. Reports say Russell and Charlie Woods also share a connection through their shared commercial agent and are set to play college golf together at Florida State.
Several accounts describe the qualifying finish as a pressure moment, including surviving a bogey on the first playoff hole and securing the final available spot from a Florida qualifier. One outlet also notes a Father’s Day-related detail in which Russell’s father, Joe Russell, receives Russell’s clubs carried partway during a Sunday stretch of play, while Charlie Woods is referenced as having carried the bag during the qualifying run that advanced Russell to the U.S. Open.
All sources agree that Russell’s performance leads to his U.S. Open qualification and sets up his tournament appearance at Shinnecock Hills next week.
