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17-Year-Old Blades Brown Goes Pro, Set for PGA Tour

Originally posted on On Tap Sports Net | By Tony Marchese | Last updated Dec 21, 2024 6:45 PM ET

In a bold move that’s setting the golf world abuzz, 17-year-old high school junior Blades Brown is making the leap to professional golf, bypassing college to play in the PGA Tour’s American Express event in La Quinta, California, next January. Brown, a Nashville native and a towering figure in the class of 2026, is charting a course that few have dared to navigate at such a young age.

Brown's decision comes on the heels of a distinguished amateur career, punctuated by his historic achievements last summer. Joining the ranks of Tiger Woods and Bobby Clampett, Brown became one of the only players to clinch a medal in both the U.S. Amateur and U.S. Junior competitions — a feat that has set expectations sky-high for his professional debut.

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

"I am ready to begin the next chapter of my golf career and will be competing as a professional in 2025," Brown stated in his Instagram announcement.

Despite failing to advance from PGA Tour qualifying school this fall, Brown's professional journey is already gaining momentum with a number of sponsor exemptions lined up for 2025. This, coupled with an impressive 10-under-par finish at the Myrtle Beach Classic under a sponsor exemption this year, signals a bright future on the PGA Tour circuit.

"While I am proud of the accomplishments of my amateur career, I am focused on the future and getting off to a strong start in my professional career," Brown said, highlighting a mature perspective on his transition to the professional ranks.

This development isn't just a personal milestone for Brown; it signifies a momentous occasion in the world of golf, marking the arrival of a prodigious talent on one of its biggest stages. The eyes of the golf world will undoubtedly be fixed on La Quinta this January, as Brown aims to translate his amateur success into professional accolades.

This article first appeared on On Tap Sports Net and was syndicated with permission.

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