SOUTHAMPTON, NY – What do you get your dad for Father’s Day?
Socks? A tie? Six-pack of his favorite IPA? Miles Russell you did one better. On Sunday, the stunned son from Jacksonville, Fla., pulled his father, Joe, under the ropes at the U.S. Open here at Shinnecock Hills and gave him a gift he’ll never forget.
Miles, who is 17, is playing in his first US Open, though it feels more like his 10th. This is because the rising freshman at Florida State, where he will play together Son of Tiger WoodsCharlie has already been all over the professional game, making five starts (and four cuts) on the PGA Tour and seven at Korn Ferry, where he finished 15th in Savannah, Ga., earlier this year.
IN windy conditions in the first two rounds, Miles was relentless, posting rounds of 72-71 to make the cut by one. In the third round, he shot a 74, but saved his best for last: a three-birdie-par 70 on Sunday that kept him at seven for the week, good for a top-40 finish. But forget those birds – ultimately, Miles’ value will be his most memorable score of the day, because of who he had by his side: his father.
About halfway down the 18th fairway, Miles’ caddy-swing coach, Ramon Bescana, walked to the fairway, where Joe was watching his son, oblivious to what was coming next: Bescana threw off his vest and told Joe, “I’m done.”
Translation: You’re in, pops.
Moments later, Joey was under the rope and walking through the fescue toward the fairway, his son’s embarrassing bag slung over his right shoulder. When Joe caught up with Miles, they were all business. Miles reached for a towel hanging from his bag and wiped some debris from his iron. Father and son appeared to have been caddies and players for years.
Miles, who cleared his card exchange with USGA officials Sunday morning, told GOLF.com the idea was inspired by fellow golf pro Steve Wheatcroft, who also hails from Jacksonville. At the 2010 US Open in Pebble beachWheatcroft had dragged his father under the ropes to open a hole for him. Nice gesture, Miles thought, and on Bluebird Sunday at Shinnecock, he set his Father’s Day gift in motion.
When Miles and Joe reached the green, Miles had a 38-footer for birdie. Joe, who said he shoots in the low 70s/80s, offered his green reading services, but his son politely declined. Miles doubted it, which later led him to joke about his father’s offer to read, “I probably should have gotten one.”
Joe introduced Miles to the game when he was just 2 years old. In the 15 years since, their list of golf highlights together is long and glittering. Where did this 72nd hole rank?
