Junior Amateur final at Saucon Valley Country Club after carding two eagles and five birdies in a 2-and-1 victory over Tyler Mawhinney, according to tournament reporting. Russell, ranked seventh in the World Amateur Golf Ranking, secured the semifinal win by executing a go-ahead, chip-in eagle on the 13th hole during a 14-under day across 30 holes.
How Miles Russell Outlasted Tyler Mawhinney in the Semifinals
The pivotal moment in the semifinal match arrived at the drivable, par-4 13th hole, according to on-course reports. Both players went for the green and landed in the gnarly greenside rough. Mawhinney chipped to 5 feet, while Russell popped his ball out of the rough onto the putting surface and watched it roll directly into the cup for an eagle, prompting a rare fist pump from the 17-year-old.
Mawhinney, the 2025 U.S. Amateur Four-Ball champion and world No. 102, played the par-3s at 8 under for the week and remained 7 under through 17 holes against Russell. Despite that performance, Russell applied pressure down the stretch by sticking an approach inside Mawhinney at the par-5 15th for a tap-in birdie and converting a 10-foot trickler for birdie at the 16th after a lip-out par save.
Did you know? Walker Cup squad, which will compete this September at Lahinch.
Championship Match Stakes Against Noah Maclauchlan
Russell will face Liberty signee Noah Maclauchlan in Saturday’s 36-hole final, according to tournament pairings. Maclauchlan defeated New Zealand’s Cooper Moore 1 up in the semifinals. Maclauchlan entered the 264-player field as an alternate after Rawlin Sutter won the Alabama State Junior to earn exempt status, opening up a qualifying spot at Maclauchlan’s site.
Maclauchlan is ranked No. 2,047 in the World Amateur Golf Ranking, sitting 2,040 spots behind Russell. Junior title in 2011.
Chasing the Modern Junior Slam
A victory on Saturday would make Russell the first player to complete the modern junior slam, according to golf analysts and tournament records.
Russell has secured two Junior Invites (2025, 2026), two Junior Players titles (2023, 2025), and the 2023 Junior PGA. No other player holds three legs of this grouping, while only five players—Scottie Scheffler, Akshay Bhatia, Caleb Surratt, Robby Shelton, and Hamilton Coleman—boast two legs. Russell also won the AJGA’s Rolex Tournament of Champions in 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who did Miles Russell defeat to reach the U.S. Junior Amateur final?
Russell defeated incoming Vanderbilt freshman Tyler Mawhinney 2-and-1 in the semifinals and Washington State rising sophomore Dylan Boenning 6 and 5 in the quarterfinals.
Who is Miles Russell playing in the U.S. Junior Amateur final?
Russell faces Liberty signee Noah Maclauchlan in the 36-hole final at Saucon Valley Country Club.
What records could Miles Russell tie with a win?
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