Blades Brown Shines in American Express Despite Final Round Setback
LA QUINTA, Calif. — Eighteen-year-old Blades Brown, a recent high school graduate, played exceptionally well in the final grouping of The American Express alongside World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler. His journey in professional golf took a significant step forward, despite finishing tied for 18th after shooting a two-over 74 on the PGA West Stadium Course.
Impressive Performance Among the Pros
Brown aimed to become the second-youngest player ever to win on the PGA Tour. Although the final round didn’t go as planned, the young golfer expressed profound respect for the experience of competing against Scheffler, who showcased his elite skills throughout the tournament.
“I have so much to take away from this week,” Brown reflected. “Getting to play with Scottie Scheffler in the final group at 18 years old—I had to pinch myself a couple of times just to make sure this was real. Not the Sunday that I would have liked, but I had so much fun playing The American Express this week.”
Early Round Highlights
Brown, starting one stroke behind leader Si Wood Kim, displayed early composure. He began the round strong, going one under through the first four holes. Unfortunately, disaster struck on the par-5 fifth hole when his drive found the water, leading to a frustrating double-bogey 7.
Despite the setback, Brown regained some momentum, shooting one under over the next nine holes. However, Scheffler pulled ahead with an impressive five-under performance during the same stretch.
Key Round Stats:
- Blades Brown: Two-over 74, tied for 18th
- Scottie Scheffler: Five-under over nine holes
Learning from a Champion
Throughout the round, Brown marveled at Scheffler’s game, particularly his short game.
“One of the coolest things I learned today was how underrated Scottie Scheffler’s short game is,” Brown said. “Seeing the trajectory, spin, and control he has with his wedges was a valuable experience. His putting is phenomenal as well. It was truly impressive, and I’m definitely going to work on that.”
The Road Ahead
As Brown navigated the final holes, he understood the significance of remaining tied for 10th to qualify for the upcoming Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines. Unfortunately, after bogeying two of his last four holes, including a three-putt on the 18th, he missed that opportunity.
Despite this disappointment, the Nashville native maintained an upbeat outlook on his performance and future in golf.
“I could probably write a book about what I’ve learned these past couple of days. Just knowing that I can compete out here, and witnessing Scottie win in person was incredible. He’s such an amazing guy and provided me with great encouragement throughout the round.”
A Bright Future
Brown acknowledged the depth of talent in junior and amateur golf, stating,
“Everyone’s got their own path and I’m running my race. There’s a lot of fantastic junior and amateur talent coming up, and I wouldn’t be surprised if we saw another amateur make a run soon.”
With determination and experience gained from competing alongside the best, Blades Brown’s future in professional golf looks promising. Fans and analysts alike will be eager to see how his journey unfolds.
