Imagine a teenager stepping onto the professional golf stage and not just competing, but shattering records held for over four decades. That’s exactly what 18-year-old Blades Brown did, leaving the golfing world in awe during The American Express tournament in California. But here’s where it gets even more astonishing: Brown fired a jaw-dropping 12-under-par 60 in the second round, tying for the lead with none other than world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler. This isn’t just a great score—it’s the lowest round by an 18-year-old on the PGA Tour in 43 years, breaking the course record at the Nicklaus Tournament Course in the process.
Brown’s meteoric rise is no fluke. The young prodigy turned pro at just 17 in 2025, boldly skipping the traditional college route to test his mettle against the world’s best. Last year, he competed in nine PGA Tour events, with a T34 finish at both the Mexico Open and Bermuda Championship as his standout results. And this is the part most people miss: Brown’s 60 wasn’t just a lucky day—it was the highest score of the round, matched only by fellow American Andrew Putnam, who shot a 60 on the La Quinta course.
The American Express tournament itself is a unique beast, utilizing three distinct courses—La Quinta, Nicklaus, and Pete Dye—over the first three days, with each of the 156 players tackling one course per day. By the end of the third round, the field is cut to roughly 65 players for the final showdown. This format adds layers of complexity, as players must adapt quickly to different layouts and challenges.
Brown and Scheffler currently sit atop the leaderboard at 17-under-par, but the competition is fierce. Here’s where it gets controversial: While Brown’s story is undeniably captivating, Scheffler’s freakish consistency—evidenced by his scores of 63 and 64 in the first two rounds—makes him a formidable favorite. Can the young phenom hold his nerve against the world’s best, or will experience prevail? It’s a question that has golf fans on the edge of their seats.
Among the contenders, Australian Karl Vilips stands out as the best-placed Aussie at 12-under-par, followed by Min Woo Lee at 11-under and veterans Adam Scott and Jason Day at 10-under. Meanwhile, Brown’s near-miss at a historic 59—foiled by a missed birdie putt on the 18th hole—only adds to the drama. With a $9.2 million prize pool on the line, every shot counts.
AMEX LEADERBOARD – ROUND 2
S. Scheffler -17
B. Brown -17
SW. Kim -16
SH. Kim -15
M. McCarty -15
Australians
K. Vilips -12
MW. Lee -11
A. Scott -10
J. Day -10
As the tournament heats up, one thing is clear: Blades Brown isn’t just a rising star—he’s a force to be reckoned with. But can he sustain his momentum against the likes of Scheffler? Only time will tell. What do you think? Is Brown the future of golf, or will experience triumph over youth? Let us know in the comments below!
