Semifinal battle of the 904 in U.S. Junior Amateur goes to Miles Russell

In a battle between two of the best young golfers in area history, Miles Russell beat Tyler Mawhinney in U.S. Junior Amateur semifinals on Friday.

Russell, a Jacksonville Beach native who has committed to Florida State, edged Mawhinney 2 and 1 in the match play event. Russell moves on to Saturday’s 8 a.m. championship against Noah Maclauchlan.

Russell will play Maclauchlan, the No. 49 golfer in the field in a 36-hole final. The winner of the Junior Amateur will earn an automatic spot in next year’s U.S. Open.

The thrilling battle between locals in the semifinals went down to the 17^th hole. Mawhinney, a recent graduate of Fleming Island High School and a two-time All-News4JAX boys golfer of the year, went 1 up on the 10^th hole after a birdie. Russell knotted things back with a par on the par-3 11^th hole and grabbed a 1-up lead with an eagle on the 12^th. He’d stay up at that number until a birdie on 17 closed out Mawhinney.

Russell is one of the best amateur golfers in the country, and he’s seeded No. 2 for this event. Mawhinney was seeded sixth. He’s vying to become the first golfer who graduated from a local high school to win the Junior Amateur since David Duval (Episcopal) in 1989.

Winning the Junior Amateur is among the most prestigious events for golfers. Tiger Woods won the Junior Am three times (1991-93) before embarking on a professional career that stands among the best in sports.