At times in Charlie Woods’ amateur career, his dad Tiger Woods has caddied for him. But on Monday in “Golf’s Longest Day,” Charlie was the one carrying the bag.
In a U.S. Open Final Qualifying event in Florida, the younger Woods caddied for his friend and top-ranked junior golfer Miles Russell as Russell attempted to qualify for next week’s 2026 U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills.
And in what was surely a promising outcome for the Florida State golf program, the team of teenagers turned out to be a roaring success, with Russell surviving a playoff to earn his tee times at Shinnecock.
Here’s what you need to know.
Miles Russell qualifies for 2026 U.S. Open with Charlie Woods on bag
At just 17 years old, Russell has already made a name for himself in the golf world. He’s dominated the junior circuits, earning AJGA Player of the Year honors the past two years.
On Monday, he entered the U.S. Open Final Qualifying event at BallenIsles Country Club in Florida with one dream: to qualify for his first major championship.
To do so, he enlisted Woods to carry his clubs and advise him throughout the round. Russell and Woods, also 17, know each other well from junior golf competitions. And over the coming years, they’ll get to know each other even better. Both have committed to play college golf at Florida State.
With four U.S. Open spots up for grabs on Monday at BallenIsles CC, Russell shot a 71 over his first 18 holes. It was good, but not good enough facing a quality field that featured PGA Tour winners Matt Kuchar and Matthieu Pavon, as well as up-and-coming Tour star Luke Clanton.
But once the dust settled on the second 18 holes, Kuchar, Pavon and Clanton were sent packing without U.S. Open tee times.
Russell, on the other hand, had rallied with a 67 to reach six under. That left him in a three-way tie for third, forcing a three-man playoff for the final two U.S. Open spots.
On the second playoff hole, Russell drained a mid-range birdie putt to officially punch his ticket to the U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills.
“I don’t think it’s quite set in yet. I’m pretty speechless at the moment,” Russell told Golf Channel after qualifying for his first major. “It’s something you dream of and practice for. And it’s just really cool.”
As for accomplishing the feat with Woods by his side, Russell called it “super special.”
“It was awesome. We kept it so light. It’s kind of the first time I’ve had a buddy on a bag instead of a real caddie, and, you know, I really liked it,” Russell said of his partnership with Woods. “Just kind of walking down the fairway and really not talking much golf and just having a fun time.”
