Sawt Falasteen - US teen gets look at idols as youngest player at US Open

Whether it is a chat with two-time US Open winner Bryson DeChambeau or a driving range session alongside three-time major winner Jordan Spieth, 17-year-old Russell is living the dream at Shinnecock.

"I'm trying to focus on me and do my thing on the putting green or range," Russell said. "Every once in a while you have to take a second and realize who you're hitting balls next to.

"That's really cool. I was hitting balls next to Jordan Spieth the other day. I looked up to him as a little guy.

"I think it's probably even cooler for my parents. I think it kind of hits them more than it hits me, just because they see their kid hitting balls next to somebody they looked up to when they were little."

The high school senior left-hander from Jacksonville, Florida, who is set to attend Florida State University in 2027, played alongside DeChambeau in a YouTube video.

"He's great," Rusell said. "I was walking down the range the other day, and he was hitting balls. He stopped what he was doing, came over and said hi and just chatted for a minute. It was pretty cool."

Russell avoided picking his brain about Shinnecock secrets.

"I'm not sure he wants to give all that out," Russell said.

His earliest golf memories only date to Jordan Spieth's first major win and Tiger Woods taking his most recent, both at the Masters.

"My first golf memory from watching it was maybe Spieth in 2015 at the Masters," Russell said. "I think really remembering it was Tiger in 2019."

Russell qualified at BallenIsles Country Club with Charlie Woods, the son of 15-time major winner Tiger Woods, serving as his caddie.

His swing coach since age six, Ramon Bescansa, will carry his bags this week. Bescansa was a caddie in 2018 when wind and fast greens made the course unplayable.

"He's pretty familiar with the way it played. Hopefully it doesn't quite play like that," Russell said. "But I think they'll do a good job this year.

"He has been my source and my experience. He'll help me and guide me around this place."

Russell is paired with British Open winner Cameron Smith of Australia and three-time major winner Padraig Harrington of Ireland for the first two rounds and is set for a 7:19 a.m. (1119 GMT) start on Thursday off the first tee.

H.Darwish--SF-PST