By now, you might’ve already read about the historic year that 15-year-old Miles Russell has been having in 2024. He kicked off the year signing several NIL deals with companies like TaylorMade and Transcend Capital Advisors. Then, he was 1 of 18 golfers named to the first-ever U.S. National Junior Team by the U.S. Golf Association. After all of those accolades, he backed up the hype by finishing inside the top-25 at the Lecom Suncoast Classic in Lakewood Ranch, Florida as a sponsor’s exemption on the Korn Ferry Tour.
Miles Russell Becomes Youngest To Make Cut On Korn Ferry Tour
Russell started off red-hot at the Lecom Suncoast Classic, shooting a 68 on Thursday. He followed that up with a 66 on Friday, making history in the process. At just 15 years, 5 months and 17 days, he became the youngest golfer ever to make the cut on the Korn Ferry Tour.
Miles Russell Becomes Youngest In 40+ Years To Finish Top-25
Despite his hot start, Russell experienced a bit of adversity to kick off his round on Saturday. A double bogey followed by back-to-back bogeys on the first three holes, and before you know it, he was +4 for the round. The teenager remained poised and went bogey-free for the remainder of the round. More impressively, he added an eagle and three birdies to put him under for the day.
He was tied for 48th heading into the final round but was able to match his best score of the weekend at 66 on Sunday to climb into the top 25. In fact, Miles Russell had a stretch of seven birdies in ten holes to finish tied for 20th, earning him a spot at next weekend’s Korn Ferry Tour event – the Veritex Bank Championship in Texas.
He became the youngest player since at least 1983 to finish in the top 25 in a Korn Ferry Tour or PGA Tour event.
Miles Russell Signs Multi-Year NIL Deal
Russell lives in Jacksonville Beach, Florida, and by state law, high school athletes are allowed to sign NIL deals. As a result, Russell has signed two significant deals to date. First, he signed a multi-year deal with Transcend Capital Advisors.
The most prominent Transcend NIL partner is Virginia golfer Benjamin James, who is a sophomore for the Cavaliers and is the world’s No. 5 amateur golfer.
Transcend also partners with the No. 1 girls junior player, 17-year-old Yana Wilson and one of Russell’s U.S. National Junior Team teammates, 16-year-old Blades Brown, who was Tennessee Junior Player of the Year in 2023.
Russell also signed an NIL agreement with powerhouse golf brand TaylorMade.
