There is something about a rivalry that drives people into excellence.
Lionel Messi had Cristiano Ronaldo. Magic Johnson had Larry Bird. Tiger Woods had Phil Mickelson. And now Charlie has Miles Russell.
The young Russell at the age of 16 has already appeared in two PGA Tour events in 2024. While he did not make the cut, he impressed everyone with his performance. He is going strong in the junior circuit having recently claimed the AJGA Simplify Championship.
On the other side, Charlie Woods is set to return after the tragic passing of his grandmother Kultida Woods on February 4. The young golfer is teeing off at the Dustin Johnson World Junior Golf Championship at TPC Myrtle Beach from February 28 to March 2. The event will feature 31 of the top 50 junior players. While the younger Woods is getting ready to make his comeback, another prodigy is making waves at the right moment.
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Miles Russell dominated the field in a wire-to-wire win at Carlton Woods in Texas to secure the Simplify Championship trophy that has a storied reputation. He shot a one under par for the final round to finish with an 11 under par score for the tournament.
The Simplify Championship has had big-name winners over the years like Jim Furyk, Jordan Spieth, and Rickie Fowler, all golfers who have graced the top of the professional circuit. The Florida teenager won by two strokes against fellow amateurs Michael Riebe and Giuseppe Puebla. He had previously finished T14 at this event last year.
“I played really solid for all three rounds. The second round especially even though the weather wasn’t as good and today I played fine outside of No. 18 but otherwise it was a good day. It was a great way to start off 2025,” Russell stated, referring to his uncharacteristic double bogey on hole 18. But his victory was more or less assured at that point.
With Miles Russel in prime winning form, as this is his second invitational title in as many participations, Charlie Woods will be looking to make his comeback strong.
Post the Dustin Johnson World Junior Golf Championship, Woods is also set to feature at the Junior Invitational that is taking place at the Sage Valley Golf Club in Graniteville, South Carolina. The tournament which takes place from March 19 to March 22 features 36 highest-ranked boy golfers and 24 highest-ranked girl golfers.
Amongst the girls is the very familiar and famous granddaughter of the President of the United States, Kai Trump. The field on the girl’s side consists of the World No.1 Junior Golfer Asterisk Talley while the boys’ side has the top 6 competing. The current No.1 Miles Russell, Luke Colton, Michael Riebe, Louis Klein, Tyler Watts, and Logan Reilly will pose a strong challenge to Tiger Woods’s son.
