Will Zalatoris is still one of the most exciting players on the PGA Tour, but even he has been blown away by one young star.
Zalatoris has suffered with all sorts of injury problems over the past couple of years.
The 29-year-old only played in 11 PGA Tour events in 2025, before missing the rest of the season from May onwards.
Zalatoris was forced to undergo back surgery for the second time last year, which is never a good sign for someone who has yet to reach 30.
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However, Zalatoris and his camp are very optimistic ahead of the 2026 PGA Tour season, according to Rex Hoggard.
“You and I have both spoken to people in his camp and there is a level of optimism,“ Hoggard revealed.
“But the expectations were so high that this superstar that the game desperately needs, they need more new faces, he also has the personality, he’s fun to be around and for that to come screeching to a halt again was very disappointing.“
Even if the man from Texas does rediscover his best form, he may find it difficult to keep up with some of the talented youngsters emerging on the scene right now.
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When speaking on the Fried Egg Golf Podcast, Zalatoris named Miles Russell when asked who he thinks is the best player in the world who simply doesn’t get spoken about enough.
“I will say this, and I hate ever saying this, like putting any pressure, I don’t even want to put expectations on that kid,“ Zalatoris said.
“He’s such a good kid, and he won’t even care that I said this, but Miles Russell, who’s the 17 year old, who’s going to Florida State.
“I’m just telling you, like, I grew up with Jordan, I grew up with Scottie.
“Rahm was the guy when I was in college.
“Like, this kid’s 17, and he’s so mature. Like, he’s way more mature than I am. Even when it comes down to the golf course, where I’m just like, you’re doing stuff that I’ve like, I’ve paid people to help me with.
“He does it naturally and the kid’s golf game … he’s one of the most naturally gifted kids I think I’ve ever seen.
“I know that that’s ridiculous because I know you want a Tour answer.
“I’m just telling you, this kid is, um. He’s such a good kid, and he’s so good.
“It was just one of those rounds when I watched him play, every time I’ve been around the kid, I’m just like, wow.
“Like, you are 17, and you’re doing stuff that Tour pros can’t even do. So, yeah, that’s a guy that I’m very excited for. I’m always in that kid’s corner. Like, I’m that kid’s biggest cheerleader.
“I want him to be the next big thing, because he’s such a good kid and he’s so good.“
That praise from Zalatoris should be a seriously big boost to Russell’s confidence.
Who is Miles Russell?
Miles Russell was born in Jacksonville in November 2008.
He is about to embark on a college career at Florida State later this year.
However, how long he will remain there is currently unclear. He is so good that it should surprise no one if he is playing on the PGA Tour next year.
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He played two events on the PGA Tour in 2025 – the ISCO Championship and the Procore Championship, missing the cut both times.
In 2024, he played in the Rocket Classic and the Butterfield Bermuda Championship, again missing the cut in both.
However, he still managed to impress in all of those events, given the fact that he was only 15 and 16 respectively when he played in them.
His long list of amateur wins makes for very impressive reading:
- 2018 Junior Honda Classic
- 2020 US Kids World Championship
- 2021 US Kids World Championship
- 2023 Junior PGA Championship, Junior Players Championship
- 2024 Elite Invitational, Rolex Tournament of Champions, South Beach International Amateur
- 2025 AJGA Simplify Boys Championship at Carlton Woods, Junior Invitational, Junior Players Championship
The step up to the PGA Tour will obviously be a huge one for Miles Russell but, according to Will Zalatoris, he has everything required to be a success at the highest level of the game.
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