Despite missed cut, 17-year-old Blades Brown proved he made right decision in PGA Tour debut

Blades Brown turned pro even though he can not vote, yet he proved it was the right decision at The American Express.

Blades Brown may have missed the cut at The American Express, but he showed the golfing world that he has what it takes to compete on the PGA Tour, even at 17 years old.

He had a stretch on Friday in which he made six straight birdies, leading to an 8-under 64. That was the lowest round on the PGA Tour by a player under 18 since 1985, per statistician Justin Ray. He then played well on Saturday, shooting a 2-under 34 on the front nine, which vaulted him to 10-under par for the championship and well inside the cut line. But then Brown could not convert down the stretch, three-putting back-to-back greens on the 14th and 15th holes. He then dropped his tee shot into the water at the par-3 17th, which features an island green and made a double bogey. Like that, he went from 10-under to 6-under, finishing two shots below the cut-line.

Despite that, how Brown conducted himself afterward makes him stand out. For a 17-year-old to have that level of composure and an incredible level of mental fortitude speaks volumes about who he is and his potential in pro golf.

“My dad always says, ‘You win, and you learn,’” Brown said.

“I’m definitely going to learn from this experience.”

Just last month, Brown announced on Instagram that he would forgo playing collegiately and instead turn professional. Other young stars, such as Akshay Bhatia and Tom Kim, have also taken this route, and both have already won on the PGA Tour.

Like them, Brown was not interested in the college experience. He loves going to the gym, practicing, and improving his game. His putter is his favorite club, and he spends hours upon hours perfecting this art on the practice green. He’s a focused individual — a young man many others can look up to despite his age. And when you consider the time in which Brown came of age — during the social media era — his accomplishments are that much more impressive. Teenagers are glued to their smartphones, posting on social media or following their favorite influencers. That same population has also seen spikes in anxiety and other mental health issues, thanks to the flood of emotions that social media can bring. Yet, Brown seems to have his mind under control, focusing on improving his game from day to day. And his comments on the Golf Channel after his performance at The American Express reflect that.

“Golf is a weird, funny game,” Brown told Rex Hoggard.

“You’re going to have good breaks from bad shots and bad breaks from good shots. But I’m going to keep my head up, and this is gonna sting a little bit, but I’m looking forward to what’s next.”

As for what he can learn from this experience, Brown emphasized his desire to improve his mental strength. But for him to acknowledge that aspect of his game speaks volumes to his already strong mind and self-awareness.

“I think mentally, I definitely can grow right there,” Brown added.

“There’s a lot going on on this golf course, but I’m just thankful and grateful to be here. It’s been so much fun competing on the PGA Tour, and I’m looking forward to seeing what’s next.”

Brown insisted on focusing on the future instead of reflecting too much on what had transpired, a further testament to his strong character.

And luckily for him, Brown has a great opportunity on Monday. He entered the Monday Qualifier for the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines. Brown will play alongside Chez Reavie and Michael Block, the latter of whom is still riding the fame from his electric performance at the 2023 PGA Championship.

But regardless of what happens at Torrey Pines or in the coming weeks and months, Brown has already proven one thing: he’s prepared for the big stage, and he made the right decision to turn pro.

Jack Milko is a golf staff writer for SB Nation’s Playing Through. Follow him on X @jack_milko.