As if playing in the U.S. Open for the first time—and making it to the weekend—wasn’t enough, 17-year-old Miles Russell somehow made his dad Joe’s Father’s Day Sunday even better as he made his way up the 72nd fairway at Shinnecock.
No, he didn’t make a crazy final-round charge or hole out from 191 yards. He did something way, way cooler.
Russell, who began going to the driving range with his pops at age two (it’s paying off), struck his final approach shot into the 18th for the week and gave his dad the surprise gift of a lifetime. Prior to the round, Russell reached out to USGA rules officials to ask if his old man could carry his bag to the 18th green and swap out with his caddie and swing coach, Ramon Bescansa. His request was granted.
We have no idea how Joe kept it together here.
Incredibly, the young lefty shot an even-par 70 on Sunday, his lowest round of the week. In his first major championship at 17(!), he made the cut, finished seven over, and will likely secure a result inside the top 50. Russell beat the likes of Jordan Spieth, Russell Henley and Hideki Matsuyama, and that’s just the guys who made the cut. What a special ending to a special week.