Top-ranked junior Miles Russell secured his first U.S. Open with his friend, Charlie Woods, on the bag during Golf’s Longest Day on June 8
Miles Russell had a little help from his friend, Charlie Woods. The top-ranked junior earned a spot in his first-ever U.S. Open during Golf’s Longest Day with his friend, Tiger Woods’ son and fellow golfer, as his caddie for the tournament on Monday, June 8
Russell is the No. 10 amateur in the world and one of two 17-year-olds to punch his ticket to the U.S. Open during the one-day, 36-hole final qualifying event in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. He survived a bogey on the first playoff hole and grabbed the fourth spot in the major championship.
Charlie, 17, who is one of Russell’s close friends, shares an agent with the American amateur golf standout and is expected to join him at Florida State University in Fall 2027 as members of the Seminoles’ golf team.
“It kept it so light,” Russell shared via the Golf Channel. “It’s the first time I’ve had a buddy on the bag. I really like it, not talking much golf, just having a good time.”
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Russell then hinted at whether he’d have Charlie on the bag for him at Shinnecock Hills later this month, saying, “We’ll see what he’s doing. To be determined.”
The men’s U.S. Open takes place from June 18 to June 21. The tournament will be held at the historic Shinnecock Hills Golf Club in Southampton, N.Y., for a sixth year.
Charlie is the son of Tiger and Elin Nordegren, and was born on Feb. 8, 2009. From a young age, the rising athlete showed interest in athletics, with his dad saying that the only thing he wanted to do was play sports as a little boy.
With the help of the golf legend, Charlie got an early start to his golfing career, not only watching from the sidelines but also training alongside the pros. By the time he was 11, he was already on the golf course, winning competitions against other young athletes.
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In 2020, the father-son golfing duo competed in their first tournament together, playing in the PNC Championship in Orlando — where fans noticed they had incredibly similar mannerisms. After the event, Woods expressed his gratitude for the opportunity.
“I don’t think words can describe it. Just the fact that we were able to have this experience together, Charlie and I,” he told reporters at the time, adding, “It’s memories for a lifetime.”
In February 2026, Charlie announced that he’d be continuing his golf career by playing for Florida State after his high school graduation.
“Excited to announce my commitment to play golf at Florida State University — go Noles!” he wrote in an Instagram post shared on Feb. 10.
