Miles Russell chases U.S. Open spot with Charlie Woods as his caddy

The nation’s No. 1 junior golfer is attempting to qualify for the 2026 U.S. Open with the son of a legendary golfer on his bag.

Jacksonville Beach’s Miles Russell shot 71 (1-under) on Monday, June 8 on the BallenIsles Country Club East Course to enter the clubhouse tied for 15th overall in the Florida U.S. Open qualifier.

He led the qualifier through his first 17 holes until he fell back due to a triple bogey on No. 18.

Russell is playing “Golf’s Longest Day” with Charlie Woods, a rising senior at the Benjamin School and son of Tiger Woods, as his caddy. Woods and Russell are both Florida State golf commits in the Class of 2027 and have the same agent.

The 2026 U.S. Open will be held June 18-21 at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club in Southampton, New York.

Four qualifying spots are available at Florida’s U.S. Open qualifier. The qualifying events for the U.S. Open are 36 holes and will be decided Monday evening or possibly even on Tuesday. The projected cut was 3-under as of 12:40 p.m. ET.

Russell will tee off for his afternoon round at approximately 1:10 p.m. ET.

The Florida U.S. Open qualifier is chock full of Palm Beach County talent.

Royal Palm Beach’s Giuseppe Puebla, the nation’s No. 2 ranked junior golfer, entered the clubhouse with the lead at 69 (3-under) after carding five birdies in his final six holes.

More notable amateurs in the field include Boca Raton’s Oscar Crowe, North Palm Beach’s Wylie Inman and Delray Beach’s Preston Worch

Eric J. Wallace is deputy sports editor for The Palm Beach Post. He can be reached at ejwallace@usatodayco.com.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Miles Russell chases U.S. Open spot with Charlie Woods as caddy