Miles Russell taps veteran caddie for Isco event

Miles Russell will have a veteran caddie on the bag for the Isco Championship, a PGA Tour opposite-field event this week in Louisville at Hurstbourne Country Club.Russell, 17, the No. 1-ranked junior golfer and reigning two-time AJGA Rolex Player of the Year, has hired Paul Tesori, who has the week off from his regular duties with Webb Simpson.

“I love to work. I love what I do. I love mentoring,” said Tesori, who previously did a stint on the bag with Tom Kim.

“I just kind of love that role.”Russell made history in 2024 as the youngest player to make a cut on the Korn Ferry Tour. Last month, he qualified for his first major at the U.

S. Open, with Charlie Woods on the bag. Russell’s instructor, Ramon Bescansa, stepped in to serve as his caddie at Shinnecock for the first 71 holes until Russell shared a memorable Father's Day moment by having his dad caddie for him on the 18th hole.

Tesori lives not far from Russell, a Jacksonville native, and is friends with Russell’s coach and ex-touring pro Steve Wheatcroft, who has become a sparring partner at home for Russell and someone who provides wisdom and council. “Ramon said he doesn't need a lot, that he's got a 27-year-old head on his body, which is just kind of rare to see for 17 years old, and we know he's special. We know how good he is, but it's also that mentality, the way he carries himself that no moment seems to be too big,” Tesori said.

In a career spanning three decades, Tesori has worked for the likes of Vijay Singh, Sean O’Hair and Kim, among others, while enjoying his longest run and best success with Webb Simpson. That included being on the bag for Simpson’s wins at the 2012 U.S.

Open and 2018 Players Championship over a span of a dozen years. Simpson, 40, won the Vardon Trophy five years ago, but has five kids at home and has scaled back to playing no more than 13 events during a season. This is Simpson’s last season of being fully exempt, and he brought back Tesori on the bag this season, offering him a ge