Miles Russell should be well-rested for a possible marathon day at the U.S. Junior Amateur.
The 15-year-old Jacksonville Beach native won his opening match at the Oakland Hills Country Club in Bloomfield Hills, Mich., after opponent Hamilton Coleman of Martinez, Ga., conceded the match after the 10th hole. Russell was five-up at the time and could have ended the match by winning two more holes.
More: Miles Russell qualifies for match play in U.S. Junior Amateur at Oakland Hills Country Club
A USGA communications official said Coleman had developed back pain as the match wore on.
Russell, the 14th seed in the tournament after shooting 1-under 139 in stroke-play qualifying, was 1-under on his ball with only one bogey and won Nos. 7, 8 and 9, and four of five holes to take his big lead.
Russell will play Billy Davis of Spring Valley, Calif., in the second round on Thursday morning at a time to be determined. Davis defeated Zack Swanek of New Zealand 4 and 3.
The match will be an early battle between two of the highest-ranked juniors of the U.S. Russell is first on the American Junior Golf Association Polo rankings and Davis is third. Davis will enter Auburn in the fall.
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Jacksonville Beach’s Miles Russell wins in U.S. Junior Boys first round
