Blades Brown, 17, the top-ranked golfer in the class of 2026, has announced his decision to bypass college golf and turn professional. This news was made public today through posts on social media, where Brown detailed his readiness to start the next chapter of his golf career by competing as a pro in 2025.
The Nashville, Tennessee native will make his pro debut at The American Express at La Quinta, California, in January. His decision follows after “much prayer,” and consultation with trusted advisors. He emphasized the weight of this choice, having spent months weighing his options before deciding what he believed was best for his future.
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
Notably, Brown joined the ranks of Tiger Woods and Bobby Clampett as one of only three players ever to win a medal in both the U.S. Amateur and U.S. Junior competitions last summer. His performance has been exceptional, leading to numerous scholarship offers from top college programs across the country. However, Brown has chosen to forego these opportunities, focusing instead on a direct transition to professional golf.
This move is reminiscent of Akshay Bhatia, who also turned pro at 17 in 2019 and has since made a name for himself on the PGA Tour. Brown, like Bhatia, is represented by Sportfive’s Tommy Riehle, indicating a strategic approach to his career from the outset.
The decision to skip college golf is significant, especially in the context of the PGA Tour U program, which offers pathways to PGA Tour cards for top college performers. However, with his current standing and achievements, Brown appears confident in his ability to succeed on the professional circuit without the traditional route.
His announcement has been met with excitement from fans and the golf community, with posts on X and various news outlets highlighting his potential and the courage of his decision.
Blades Brown is turning pro at age 17 and before he even finishes high school. I guess that’s one way to avoid taking the SATs.
— From The Drop Zone – Brian VanDongen (@fromthedropzone) December 17, 2024
Credit: X, Grok 2.0
