Returning to Augusta National is always a special moment. And the same was true for the amateur golfer, Asterisk Talley. She entered to tee it off at the Augusta National Women’s Amateur as last year’s runner-up. However, she was missing an integral part of her team and support in Georgia this week. Her caddie, Miles Russell, couldn’t make it to Augusta to carry the bags for her. But why?

“We were both playing events last week. He had a Korn Ferry event last week, and then he got T15. So, he got into the one this week, and then he ended up telling me that he couldn’t make it this week,” Talley told the media as she carded a bogey-free 66 at Champions Retreat Golf Club.

Russell got into the Lecom Suncoast Classic on the Korn Ferry Tour after his incredible performance in Savannah. Currently, he’s competing at Lakewood National Golf Club. With the top-ranked amateur golfer away to compete, Talley phoned Ryan Zak to caddie for her.

It was a productive decision, given Zak’s experience in caddying for her at multiple events. He’s also the one who caddied for Talley at the 2025 Augusta National Women’s Amateur. And this time, the partnership between them has led Talley to the T3 spot, trailing just one stroke behind Maria Jose Marin (2025 NCAA Champion) and Soomin Oh.

Zak was ready for the role on such short notice.

“I did it last year, so I was prepared. I brought what I needed to be prepared in the event something happened,” Zak said.

Meanwhile, Talley revealed her excitement for Russell and said, “Hopefully, he plays really well. I’m sure he’s wishing the same for me. So, just a little backstep, but it’s okay.”

Russell and Talley aren’t really aiming for the same university. The WAGR number eight has verbally committed to Florida State, while the AJGA number one is moving towards Stanford. But it’s their partnership on the golf course that has sparked a good chemistry between the duo. 

How good is the chemistry between Miles Russell and Asterisk Talley?

Russell and Talley paired up for the 2025 U.S. Junior Ryder Cup mixed sessions at Nassau Country Club. And they reclaimed the trophy for Team USA with an undefeated record of 1-0-1. Last month, during the 2026 Junior Invitational at Sage Valley, the duo became the first-ever male and female players to repeat as champions in the same year. 

While Russell scored a 67 and finished at 15-under, Talley closed the girls’ division with a five-under 67 in the final round and closed the event with an eight-under. With two high-ranking amateurs playing together, their chemistry was bound to get better. 

Talking about their earlier team-up, Miles Russell said, “Probably out of all the girls, I probably know her the most just from Junior Ryder Cup. It’s pretty cool to see her win it again, and I’m just glad I didn’t mess that up.”

“Miles and I are good friends, so I think it’s nice for us to win this tournament. I know it gives us both a lot of confidence, so we just had a great week this week, and I think we’re going to take that with us for the next couple of tournaments,” Asterisk Talley said about her chemistry with Russell. 

But alas! We couldn’t see them together again at Augusta National this time. But we can certainly expect them to team up once again in the near future.