Bill Streicher-Imagn ImagesBill Streicher-Imagn Images
Miles Russell tees off on Day 1 of the US Open.
17-year-old golfer Miles Russell wrapped up his final round at the US Open alongside his dad on Father’s Day. USGA officials bent their typically strict rules to make room for an awesome moment.
Russell cleared his request ahead of his Sunday finish. It allowed for a heartfelt ending to an incredible weekend of play.
🥹
Miles Russell’s father, Joe, took over as caddie for his son’s final walk up 18.
What a Father’s Day gift! pic.twitter.com/7tfHKSrjyx
— U.S. Open (@usopengolf) June 21, 2026
Miles Russell’s dad caddies at the US Open.
Russell is one of the best young phenoms in golf. At the age of 15, he became the youngest player to make the cut in a Korn Ferry Tour event. It allowed him to compete in the Veritex Bank Championship in Dallas the following week.
Fast forward two years, and he was able to qualify for the US Open at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club in Southampton, New York. The younger impressed across his four-day tournament.
Russell made the cut by shooting a combined +3 on Thursday and Friday. He would finish at +7 for the weekend after shooting even par on Sunday.
He capped his final round by sinking par on 18. His dad was standing next to him on the green for a deserved congratulations.
Miles Russell checked with a rules official to see if his dad could carry his bag on the last hole. USGA allowed it. His dad had no idea it was coming.
Beautiful stuff 🥹🥹🥹🥹 pic.twitter.com/ZuIRU7Sx6h
— Christopher Powers (@CPowers14) June 21, 2026
Joe Russell had no idea he would be caddying the final hole. It was a Father’s Day surprise. USGA rules typically wouldn’t allow for it.
Caddies must register with the caddie chairman for the US Open. The rulebook also specifies that players “must not have more than one caddie at any one time.”
While changing during a round is allowed, that switch would usually come at the start or end of a hole, and might be due to an unforeseen circumstance that makes the original caddie unavailable (injury, illness, etc.).
That wasn’t the case for Miles Russell and his dad. It didn’t matter.
Russell wasn’t trying to gain an advantage. He wasn’t seeking advice from another party. He simply wanted to share an awesome moment on Father’s Day.
Still, there is a reason he reached out for approval. Kudos to the USGA for making it happen.