Miles Russell will take another turn on the Tour this week.
The 16-year-old Jacksonville Beach resident will play in this week’s Butterfield Bermuda Championship, a PGA Tour FedEx Cup Fall tournament at the Port Royal Golf Course in Southhampton, Bermuda.
Russell earned an invitation to the tournament that is granted for the previous season’s American Junior Golf Association Player of the Year. It will give him two PGA Tour starts and two Korn Ferry Tour starts in 2024 – all before he turned 16 on Nov. 1.
Russell became the youngest player in history to make the cut at the Korn Ferry Tour event at the LECOM Suncoast Classic in Lakewood Ranch, then became the youngest to record a top-20 finish when he shot 66 in the final round to shoot 14-under 270.
That earned him a spot in the next Korn Ferry event, the Veritex Championship near Dallas. He shot 68-70 but missed the cut.
Russell was given a sponsor invitational to the PGA Tour’s Rocket Mortgage Classic and posted rounds of 74-70, missing the cut.
In nine rounds in Korn Ferry Tour or PGA Tour competition (counting a 67 in a Monday qualifier for the Puerto Rico Open), Russell has a 68.78 scoring average.
He will play with veteran Austin Smotherman and amateur Egor Eroshenko in the first two rounds in Bermuda. The group will tee off the first hole on Thursday at 12:09 p.m. and the 10th hole on Friday at 7:39 a.m.
Smotherman, who played at SMU, is 169th on the FedEx Cup points list. Eroshenko finished a four-year career at UCF in May.
Players Championship calling all singers
For the second year, The Players Championship is looking for an individual or group to perform the National Anthem at the tournament’s Military Appreciation Day March 11, 2025, two days before the first round.
Local soloists and groups of all ages are encouraged to submit a video of their rendition of the National Anthem by 5 p.m. on January 15, 2025. Submissions will be reviewed and selected performers will be notified via email. Any questions regarding the application process should be directed to mirandarossum@pgatourhq.com.
To apply, please visit: www.theplayers.com/anthem..
The Players also is accepting applications for American Sign Language interpreters to sign the Anthem during the opening ceremony.
“We’re excited to invite local talent to be part of this special ceremony as we honor the brave men and women who serve our country,” Players executive director Lee Smith said in a statement.
“The Military Appreciation Ceremony is one of the most meaningful traditions of The Players Championship and having a community performer deliver the National Anthem adds a unique and personal touch to this powerful moment. It’s a way for us to bring together the spirit of service and the heart of Northeast Florida as we celebrate the dedication and sacrifice of our military.”
PGA Tour: International Swing closes
Event: Butterfield Bermuda Championship, Thursday-Sunday, Port Royal Golf Course, Southhampton, Bermuda.
What’s the purse? $6.9 million ($1,242,000 and 500 FedEx Cup points to the winner).
Who won last year? Camilo Villegas posted a 63 in the second round, then went 65-65 on the weekend to finish at 24-under 260 and beat Alex Noren by two shots.
How to watch on TV: Golf Channel (Thursday-Friday, 1-4 p.m.; Saturday, 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.).
Area players entered: Tyson Alexander, Chris Baker, Adrien Dumont de Chassart, Nico Echavarria, Will Gordon, Ben Griffin, Lanto Griffin, Ben Kohles, Andrew Novak, Raul Pereda, Miles Russell, Sam Ryder, Greyson Sigg, Carl Yuan.
Notable: Kevin Kisner, Seamus Power, Peter Malnati, Mackenzie Hughes and Maverick McNealy lead the field. … After four international events, the Tour returns to the U.S. to close the FedEx Fall season with the RSM Classic next week at the Sea Island Club.
LPGA Tour: Back in Florida for final two weeks
Event: The Annika, Thursday-Sunday, Pelican Golf Club, Belleair.
What’s the purse? $3.5 million ($487,500 to the winner).
Who won last year? Lilia Vu shot 62-66 on the weekend and held off Alison Lee by three shots.
How to watch on TV: Golf Channel (Thursday-Friday, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.; Saturday, 2:30-5 p.m.; Sunday, 2-4:30 p.m.).
Area players entered: Auston Kim.
Notable: Nelly Korda leads the field that includes 18 of the top 25 on the Rolex Rankings. … Also playing are Lydia Ko, Hannah Green, Celine Boutier, Ruonng Yin, Charley Hull and Lexi Thompson. … The season concludes next week with the CME Group Tour Championship at the Tiburon Golf Club in Naples.
What are the (golf) odds?
Butterfield Bermuda Championship: Hard Rock Bet has Power, a past winner, and Hughes as the co-favorites at +1500. Ben Griffin and McNealy are +1750. Want to bet some long odds? Miles Russell is +25,000.
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Miles Russell takes another turn on the PGA Tour with start in Bermuda
