16-Year-Old Miles Russell Takes Third Place At Prestigious Jones Cup Invitational
Miles Russell, the 16-year-old golf prodigy, secured a third-place finish at the prestigious Jones Cup Invitational at Ocean Forest Golf Club in Georgia, coming up just short of victory after a final-round 74.
Golfer wearing light blue shirt swinging
Russell shared the lead at four-under with Florida State's Gray Albright entering the final round. Despite making birdies on the third and tenth holes, three bogeys on the front nine and a closing bogey resulted in a two-over 74, leaving him tied for third, two shots behind Albright and Jack Bigham.
Albright eventually claimed victory in a playoff, joining an illustrious list of past champions including Patrick Reed, Justin Thomas, Corey Conners, Akshay Bhatia, and Ludvig Aberg.
Russell's impressive career achievements include:
- Youngest champion in Junior Players Championship history
- Youngest AJGA Boys Junior Player of the Year (breaking Tiger Woods's record)
- Youngest player to make a cut in a Korn Ferry Tour event
- Multiple junior titles including the Junior Honda Classic (2018) and US Kids World Championship (2020 & 2021)
Golfer swinging at dawn
His recent success includes three victories in 2024, most notably at December's South Beach International Amateur. He has also made his PGA Tour debut at the 2024 Rocket Mortgage Classic and competed in the Butterfield Bermuda Championship, currently ranking 51st in the World Amateur Golf Ranking.
This strong showing at the Jones Cup Invitational further cements Russell's status as one of golf's most promising young talents, demonstrating his ability to compete at the highest amateur level despite his young age.