The 17-year-old Nashville native, already etched in golf’s record books, draws inspiration from Nick Dunlap’s victory at La Quinta last year.

He's just 17 years old, but Blades Brown, making his first pro start at PGA Tour's American Express, has an old-soul perspective thanks to life lessons learned from his dad's successful battle with le

In was in the 2014 Korn Ferry season when Finau broke through, with one win and five top-10 finishes to finish eighth on that tour and earn a PGA Tour card for 2015. Since then, Finau hasn’t looked back with six career wins.

While younger players and amateurs have been playing strong golf on the PGA Tour in recent years – Dunlap was 20 and a sophomore at the University of Alabama when he won last year – Brown is the youngest golfer to ever play in The American Express. But his swing coach believes Brown has a game that can hold up to the PGA Tour.

Everything to know about former Brentwood Academy golf star Blades Brown, 17, making his pro golf debut at the PGA Tour American Express Tournament.

Each time The American Express golf tournament is played in the Coachella Valley, new questions arise along with the arrival of some of the best players in the world. That’s no different this week when the tournament is played for the 66th time on three different desert courses.

The 17-year-old Brown is one of the most intriguing stories at the first event in the mainland United States of 2025. The son of former WNBA player Rhonda Brown, whose maiden name is "Blades," Blades Brown took up golf at eight years old while playing with his father at Richland Country Club in Nashville.

A look at Blades Brown, 17, former Brentwood Academy golfer turning pro at 2025 PGA Tour American Express Tournament