Detroit — Kids 15 and younger always have gotten in free to the Rocket Mortgage Classic.
But here’s a whole new spin on that.
Miles Russell, a 15-year-old high school freshman from Florida, has been given a sponsor’s exemption into Detroit’s PGA Tour stop, set for June 27-30 at Detroit Golf Club, tournament officials announced Monday. It will be the PGA Tour debut for Russell, who made headlines earlier this year when he made a cut on the Korn Ferry Tour.
“The Rocket Mortgage Classic is known as a tournament where ‘future stars start,’ and we’re thrilled to have Miles make his PGA Tour debut here and add to that legacy,” Jason Langwell, executive director of the Rocket Mortgage Classic, said in a statement. “He has proved with his many accomplishments at such a young age that he belongs, and we are excited to see Miles compete alongside the world’s best golfers here at Detroit Golf Club.”
Russell is set to be among the youngest players to tee it up on the PGA Tour, and he becomes the third teenager to debut on the PGA Tour this season, after 16-year-old Kris Kim made the cut The CJ Cup Byron Nelson and 16-year-old Blades Brown played in the Myrtle Beach Classic last month.
In April, Russell became the youngest player to make the cut on the Korn Ferry Tour, when he finished 20th in the LECOM Suncoast Classic.
He will become the youngest player ever in the Rocket Mortgage Classic, now in its sixth year.
Last year, Russell was named the American Junior Golf Association Player of the Year, the youngest ever to win that honor, beating Tiger Woods’ record. He won the Junior PGA Championship and Junior Players Championship, and played on the U.S. Junior Ryder Cup team.
“I am thankful to Rocket Mortgage for giving me the opportunity to make my PGA Tour debut at the Rocket Mortgage Classic,” Russell said in a statement. “Ever since I first started playing golf, my dream has been to compete on the PGA Tour and test my game against the best players, and I’m looking forward to making the most of the experience later this month.”
Said Casey Hurbis, senior vice president of brand experiences and strategic partnerships with Rocket Mortgage: “We are incredibly excited to welcome Miles Russell to the Rocket Mortgage Classic. Miles exemplifies the future of golf, and our tournament is the perfect stage for young talent to shine.
“Detroit is a place where dreams are made, and we can’t wait to welcome him and other world-class golfers to our amazing hometown.”
The Rocket Mortgage Classic will feature a 156-player field, with four of those players getting exemptions through the tour sponsor. With Russell’s exemption, the tournament has three more to award.
The tournament also announced additional player commitments Monday, including three players in the top 50 in the current world golf ranking: Min Woo Lee, Chris Kirk and Nicolai Hojgaard. Francesco Molinari, winner of the 2018 British Open, will play in the Rocket, as will 2012 U.S. Open winner Webb Simpson. Also committing Monday was Nick Dunlap, who made history earlier this year when he won The American Express as an amateur. He then turned professional the following week.
They join defending champion and Rocket Mortgage brand ambassador Rickie Fowler in the field, as well as Tom Kim and Will Zalatoris.
Rocket Mortgage Classic
▶ When: June 27-30
▶ Where: Detroit Golf Club
▶ 2023 champion: Rickie Fowler
▶ Tickets: Starting at $65; details at rocketmortgageclassi.com. Children 15 and younger get in free with a ticketed adult, and there also are complimentary tickets for active and retired service members.
tpaul@detroitnews.com
@tonypaul1984
