Teenage Sensation Blades Brown Tied for Lead in The American Express
LA QUINTA, Calif. – In a thrilling turn of events, 18-year-old Blades Brown found himself just an inch away from a remarkable highlight at The American Express on Friday. Brown, who recently turned pro and is still basking in the glory of his high school graduation, narrowly missed a 6-foot birdie putt for 59, ultimately leaving him tied for the lead with golf’s best player, Scottie Scheffler.
Brown’s journey to this point has been nothing short of chaotic. Having earned Korn Ferry Tour status last year, he was competing in a tournament in the Bahamas that concluded just a day before The American Express. Utilizing a flight voucher he earned from a top-50 finish in the Myrtle Beach Classic, Brown arrived in Palm Springs on the eve of the tournament, where he is playing on a sponsor exemption. Despite the whirlwind schedule, Brown expressed his excitement, stating, “I’m so stoked,” and acknowledged his need for a “fat nap” after the exhausting week.
Scheffler, on the other hand, wasn’t as sharp as he was in the opening round but still managed to card a bogey-free 64. Playing in front of the largest gallery and two groups ahead of Brown, Scheffler has started on the two easiest courses and will face the challenging Stadium Course on Saturday. Scheffler reflected on his round, saying, “I didn’t get off to the start I would have hoped to get off to today. Outside of that, I did a really good job on the back nine of staying patient and didn’t really try to force things out there.”
A Star in the Making: Blades Brown
Brown’s impressive performance has drawn attention to the young golfer, who got off to a scorching start with eight birdies and a 25-foot eagle putt on No. 11. As he stepped onto the 18th tee box, Brown was aware of the opportunity to shoot 59, but ultimately fell just short. Despite the narrow miss, Brown’s round was a testament to his skill and composure under pressure. Scheffler, who doesn’t know much about Brown except that he turned pro while still in high school, acknowledged the young golfer’s form, saying, “These kids coming out, they know they got to come out and make some birdies… It sounds like an 18-year-old shooting 59 is a pretty good start to his career there.”
The tournament, typically a casual affair in the Coachella Valley, was a sellout on Friday, with Scheffler being a significant draw in the strongest field in years. The addition of Brown, who was one putt away from becoming the youngest player in PGA Tour history to break 60, has added an exciting layer to the competition. As the tournament heads into the weekend, Brown and Scheffler are tied at 17-under 127, with Si Woo Kim, a past champion, just one shot behind.
With eleven players separated by three shots at the halfway point, the competition is fierce. Notable players like Rickie Fowler and Wyndham Clark are three shots behind, and the cut is not made until Saturday, after everyone has played all three courses. As the golfing world watches with bated breath, one thing is certain – Blades Brown has announced his arrival on the PGA Tour, and his name will be one to watch in the days to come.
As the tournament progresses, golf enthusiasts can expect a thrilling display of skill and determination from the young Blades Brown and the seasoned Scottie Scheffler. With the competition heating up, one thing is certain – The American Express has become a must-watch event in the golfing world.
