17-Year-Old Blades Brown Makes Pro Debut at American Express PGA

LA QUINTA, Calif. — Blades Brown, a 17-year-old golfer from Nashville, Tennessee, made his professional debut Thursday at The American Express PGA Tour event, becoming the youngest player to compete in the tournament as a pro. Brown carded an even-par 72 at La Quinta Country Club, showcasing resilience after a rocky start.

Brown, who turned pro in December, opened his round with a par but quickly stumbled with a bogey and a double-bogey on the second and third holes. “It was challenging those first couple of holes,” Brown said. “My adrenaline was up, and the ball was going farther than expected. But I was able to battle back, which I’m super-pumped about.”

The teenager rebounded with three consecutive birdies, including a 17-foot putt on the fourth hole, to return to even par. He then closed the round with 12 straight pars, demonstrating his skill in scrambling and saving par. “I would always call him Up-and-Down Brown,” said his father, Parke Brown, who caddied for him during the round.

Brown’s accuracy off the tee was a struggle, as he hit only 4 of 14 fairways, the second-worst performance in the field. However, his short game shone, particularly on the ninth and 10th holes, where he executed impressive sand saves. “Those were not that hard of holes, but I made them a little more difficult than they needed to be,” Brown joked.

The round held special significance for Brown and his family, particularly his father, who is battling leukemia. “This is just so special because life’s never been more precious to me,” Parke Brown said. “To see him do what he loves on the biggest stage is incredible.”

Brown’s debut comes after he made the cut at the Myrtle Beach Classic last May as a 16-year-old amateur. “I remember at Myrtle Beach, my agent told me, ‘Hey, bud, that’s your first round on the PGA Tour. You’re going to have plenty more,'” Brown recalled. “So I’m super-pumped to have my first round as a professional in the books.”

Despite his even-par round, Brown sits tied for 116th in the 155-player field, 10 shots behind first-round leader J.T. Poston, who shot a 10-under 62. The tournament, known for low scores, will require Brown to step up his game to make the cut after Saturday’s third round.

Brown’s journey to the PGA Tour is unconventional. He opted to forgo college and turn pro, relying on sponsor exemptions to compete. His management agency, SportFive, which runs The American Express, secured his spot in the tournament. Brown’s ultimate goal is to earn full-time PGA Tour status, potentially through Q-School later this year.

As the youngest player in the field, Brown is already drawing comparisons to other young stars like Akshay Bhatia and Nick Dunlap, who have made waves on the PGA Tour. “I’m really excited for what’s to come,” Brown said. “This is just the beginning.”