Blades Brown could have missed the minimize at The American Categorical, however he confirmed {the golfing} world that he has what it takes to compete on the PGA Tour, even at 17 years outdated.
He had a stretch on Friday wherein he made six straight birdies, resulting in an 8-under 64. That was the lowest spherical on the PGA Tour by a participant beneath 18 since 1985, per statistician Justin Ray. He then performed properly on Saturday, taking pictures a 2-under 34 on the entrance 9, which vaulted him to 10-under par for the championship and properly contained in the minimize line. However then Brown couldn’t convert down the stretch, three-putting back-to-back greens on the 14th and fifteenth holes. He then dropped his tee shot into the water on the par-3 seventeenth, which options an island inexperienced and made a double bogey. Like that, he went from 10-under to 6-under, ending two photographs beneath the cut-line.
Regardless of that, how Brown performed himself afterward makes him stand out. For a 17-year-old to have that degree of composure and an unimaginable degree of psychological fortitude speaks volumes about who he’s and his potential in professional golf.
“My dad at all times says, ‘You win, and also you be taught,’” Brown stated.
“I’m positively going to be taught from this expertise.”
Simply final month, Brown introduced on Instagram that he would forgo taking part in collegiately and as a substitute flip skilled. Different younger stars, resembling Akshay Bhatia and Tom Kim, have additionally taken this route, and each have already gained on the PGA Tour.
Like them, Brown was not within the school expertise. He loves going to the health club, working towards, and bettering his recreation. His putter is his favourite membership, and he spends hours upon hours perfecting this artwork on the observe inexperienced. He’s a targeted particular person — a younger man many others can look as much as regardless of his age. And when you think about the time wherein Brown got here of age — through the social media period — his accomplishments are that rather more spectacular. Youngsters are glued to their smartphones, posting on social media or following their favourite influencers. That very same inhabitants has additionally seen spikes in anxiousness and different psychological well being points, because of the flood of feelings that social media can convey. But, Brown appears to have his thoughts beneath management, specializing in bettering his recreation from daily. And his feedback on the Golf Channel after his efficiency at The American Categorical mirror that.
Regardless of lacking the 54-hole minimize at The American Categorical, 17-year-old new professional Blades Brown is staying optimistic and excited for the longer term. pic.twitter.com/K7hrEZueLa
— Golf Channel (@GolfChannel) January 19, 2025
“Golf is a bizarre, humorous recreation,” Brown advised Rex Hoggard.
“You’re going to have good breaks from unhealthy photographs and unhealthy breaks from good photographs. However I’m going to maintain my head up, and that is gonna sting somewhat bit, however I’m wanting ahead to what’s subsequent.”
As for what he can be taught from this expertise, Brown emphasised his want to enhance his psychological energy. However for him to acknowledge that facet of his recreation speaks volumes to his already sturdy thoughts and self-awareness.
“I feel mentally, I positively can develop proper there,” Brown added.
“There’s loads happening on this golf course, however I’m simply grateful and grateful to be right here. It’s been a lot enjoyable competing on the PGA Tour, and I’m wanting ahead to seeing what’s subsequent.”
Brown insisted on specializing in the longer term as a substitute of reflecting an excessive amount of on what had transpired, an additional testomony to his sturdy character.
And by chance for him, Brown has a terrific alternative on Monday. He entered the Monday Qualifier for the Farmers Insurance coverage Open at Torrey Pines. Brown will play alongside Chez Reavie and Michael Block, the latter of whom remains to be using the celebrity from his electrical efficiency on the 2023 PGA Championship.
However no matter what occurs at Torrey Pines or within the coming weeks and months, Brown has already confirmed one factor: he’s ready for the massive stage, and he made the fitting determination to show professional.
Jack Milko is a golf workers author for SB Nation’s Enjoying By. Comply with him on X @jack_milko.