Many young phenom athletes have made their moves to the pros this year, from Caitlin Clark in the WNBA to Caleb Williams in the NFL to Paul Skenes in MLB. Now, golf has its own young phenom in high school junior and American Junior Golf Association member Blades Brown.
Brown is the top prospect in the class of 2026, which means he would have his pick of college golf programs if he chose to go that direction. Instead, Brown is choosing to skip college and go directly to the PGA Tour, a move that is very rare in his sport.
Here is all you need to know about the PGA Tour’s newest member.
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Who is Blades Brown?
Blades Brown is a high school junior from Nashville, Tennessee, who is considered the best golfing prospect in the class of 2026. While most high school golf prospects choose to attend college, Brown is skipping college and turn pro starting in 2025.
In 2023, as a 16-year-old, Brown played in the U.S. Amateur Championship, shooting a 7-under in two rounds in the stroke play portion, which included a Colorado Golf Club course-record 64 in his second round. By tying for medalist honors, Brown became the youngest player to medal in the tournament, coming in under Bobby Jones, who did it as an 18-year-old in 1920.
Additionally, Brown also medaled at the U.S. Junior Amateur in the summer, becoming the third player to medal in both the U.S Amateur and U.S. Junior Amateur, along with Tiger Woods and Bobby Clampett. Brown was also named the AJGA player of the year in 2024, earning four top-five finishes in seven tournaments during the season.
Brown actually has already competed in a PGA Tour event, playing in the Myrtle Beach Classic as a sponsor exemption at 16 years old in 2023, where he made the cut and finished tied for 26th place at 10-under.
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Blades Brown turns pro
Brown announced Tuesday on social media that he is choosing to turn pro instead of attending college, with his first tournament coming in January at The Amex Golf Tournament.
“I am ready to begin the next chapter of my golf career and will be competing as a professional in 2025,” Brown wrote. “This is not a decision that I take lightly, and I have spent the past months weighing all possible options before deciding on what I know is best for me. “
I am excited to announce that after much prayer and seeking advice from those I trust, I am ready to begin the next chapter of my golf career and will be competing as a professional in 2025.
I will be making my professional debut at @theamexgolf in La Quinta January 16-19. pic.twitter.com/5X6c0fWjSk
— Blades Brown (@BladesBrown2026) December 17, 2024
How old is Blades Brown?
Brown is 17 years old, and he is currently a junior in high school. The golfer would have entered college as a part of the class of 2026 had he opted to play collegiately instead of in the PGA Tour.
