Blades Brown has become the youngest PGA Tour winner since 1931 after the 19-year-old came back from a seven-shot deficit with a nine-under 63 to defeat Ben James at the Tech World Championship.
At 19 years and 171 days, Brown became the youngest winner since Charles Kocsis won the Michigan Open in 1931 when he was 18, a tournament that was considered a regional event in the early years of the PGA.
James lost a four-shot lead heading into the final round at El Cardonal at Diamante and then showed his nerve by smoking a 285-yard drive into 20 feet on the par-five 18th and making eagle to save a 70 and force the playoff.
But he missed an eight-footer on the second playoff hole while Brown made his three-footer.
“It hasn’t been set yet, I think, the magnitude of being a PGA Tour winner,” Brown said. “Golf is one of the best games, it’s one of the greatest games in the world. It challenges you mentally, physically, spiritually. It challenges you in every way, doesn’t it?
“I just go back to five-year-old Blades watching TV and watching Tiger Woods and all those great players win major championships, and to think that now I’m in a place similar to winning a PGA Tour event is fascinating.”
Brown turned pro at age 17 and earned his PGA Tour card this year by finishing in the top 20 in points on the Korn Ferry Tour.
“I’m so obsessed with this game. It tests you in so many ways,” Brown said. “I love golf, all the things that go into it, and I can’t wait for what’s next.”
With eight players separated by two shots on the back nine, Brown reeled off three straight birdies to share the lead and then left the mistakes to everyone else.
He hit a great pitch for birdie on the final hole to post a 23-under 265.
That put him one shot ahead of Michael Kim, who played the teenager from Tennessee and birdied from 12 feet for a 64, just before Brown made the putt.
Brown now has a two-year exemption, which puts him in the elite Championship Series when the PGA Tour’s new model begins in 2028.
The win also assures Brown of his first major next year at the PGA Championship.
It was another setback for James, who in 13 starts since turning pro has five top-five finishes and two runner-up finishes.
What’s next?
The Austin Championship travels to Austin, Texas, bringing PGA Tour excitement to the stunning Omni Barton Creek Fazio Canyons Golf Course.
Watch all four rounds live on Sky Sports, with coverage of the opening round from 7pm on Sky Sports Golf and Sky Sports Main Event. Get the latest Sky Sports offers OR golf stream and more sports without a contract.