Blades Brown, 17, looks set to make Nick Dunlap history at PGA Tour’s American Express

The PGA Tour arrives in California this week for The American Express. Last season, amateur Nick Dunlap won his first professional event in a history-making appearance. N0v, 17-year-old Blades Brown is making his professional debut looking to make similar history. He spoke to reporters about Dunlap connection in front tournament.

“Absolutely, yes,” Brown said when asked if he had confidence in last year’s result. “Nick has been a huge inspiration to me ever since, because I watched it live on TV when he made that 6-footer on the 18th green, and it just gave me so much inspiration to know that someone my age is able to do that . And then the question is, what if I can do it? So it was so cool to be able to watch an amateur win at The American Express last year.”

Brown had a fantastic amateur career that saw him turn pro before graduating high school. He won the strokeplay medal at the 2023 United States Amateur and won the 2024 US Junior Golf Association Player of the Year award.

Although not a member of the PGA Tour, Brown can make a name for himself with a great performance in American Express.

What to know about Blades Brown ahead of his PGA Tour debut

Brown is a 17-year-old from Nashville, Tennessee and a professional golfer. But he is not a member of the PGA Tour because he is not 18 years old. He is on the field with a sponsor’s exemption, which he is allowed to do 7 times per season before becoming a member. When he turns 18 in May, he can start earning PGA and Korn Ferry Tour points.

While this is Brown’s professional debut, it is not his PGA Tour debut. He played in the Myrtle Beach Classic last season, which was the opposite event on the same week as the Wells Fargo Championship last year. He made the cut and finished T26 at 16.

Blades Brown has been a popular name in amateur golf for the past two years and is ready to make his professional debut. American Express takes place on three different golf courses, which presents a tough challenge for beginners. It starts at the La Quinta track and starts at 1:42pm on Thursday.

Brown has a bright future and can make his mark on the PGA Tour at The American Express, just like Nick Dunlap did.