Phil Mickelson identifies 16-year-old golf wonderkid as one to watch

Phil Mickelson knows exactly what it takes to get to the top of men’s professional golf, and the LIV Golf star has tipped one youngster to have a bright future

Phil Mickelson has highlighted PGA Tour starlet Miles Russell as one to watch, predicting the 16-year-old to have a bright future in men’s professional golf.

He was able to show this at junior level last week, after the Jacksonville Beach native won the prestigious Junior Invitational at Sage Valley, in a field that also included son of the great Tiger Woods, Charlie.

He carded an opening round three-under-par 69, before shooting three-straight 70s to ensure he finished the week on nine-under-par, coming back from four shots back in the final round to win. His performance – and his recent rise – has caught the eye of many in the sport.

The latest being six-time major winner Mickelson, who took to social media to have his say on his fellow left-hander. “It’s going to be fun watching this young lefty’s career!” the HyFlyers captain wrote of Russell to his 882,000 followers on X.

Discussing his win and last week’s final round on Golf Channel’s 5 Clubs, the teenager said: “I just really tried to hang in there. I was just waiting for my time to make a putt because I didn’t make many putts on Saturday, but I was just waiting for that one shot to click and the momentum going my way.

It could have never happened, but fortunately, it did. On the 14th hole, I just started to gain a little bit of momentum, and then I kind of just rode it into the house.” There is no doubt the 16-year-old has a bright future ahead, and despite his young age, he has his eyes on making a debut at the Walker Cup for Team USA at Cypress Club later this year.

“To play in something that big is a goal, no matter how old you are,” Russell continued. “Whenever you get to represent your country in something like that, doing the thing you love, there is just nothing better.” Having won at Sage Valley on Sunday, the youngster joins an elite group of players.

Russell’s name is now included on a stacked past champions list with PGA Tour stars Akshay Bhatia and Austin Eckroat included. Elsewhere, LIV Golf’s current leading player Joaquin Niemann has also tasted victory in the event, as has the current best golfer on the planet and defending Masters champion, Scottie Scheffler.