Blades Brown joins Tiger Woods in USGA history after winning U.S. Junior medalist honors https://t.co/AXz9i42QA8 pic.twitter.com/xnbWE09YWB
— Golfweek (@golfweek) July 25, 2024
Blades Brown, a rising high-school junior from Nashville, Tennessee, made headlines by capturing medalist honours at the U.S. Junior Amateur, joining an exclusive club with Tiger Woods and Bobby Clampett.
At Oakland Hills, Blades Brown scored a 2-under 68 on the challenging South Course, finishing at 6 under par, just one shot ahead of fellow U.S. National Team member Tyler Watts. This achievement places Brown among the elite few who have been medalists at the U.S. Junior and U.S. Amateur, a distinction shared with Woods and Clampett.
Reflecting on his win, Brown said, “It gives me so much momentum, fuel, and confidence. But in match play, anything can happen. I’m looking forward to it.”
Blades Brown’s victory came a day after meeting Tiger Woods, who was at the course supporting his son, Charlie, in his first USGA championship. Brown now faces Alex Huang in the first round of match play, entering the competition as the top seed.
The event saw 14 top 30 players in the AJGA rankings advance to match play, including Miles Russell, the top-ranked junior, and other notable players like Watts and Luke Colton. Despite a tough outing, Charlie Woods’ participation was highlighted, as were the performances of his playing partners Davis Ovard and Alabama commit Chase Kyes.
Kyes shared his experience, saying, “The first three holes yesterday, I was pretty nervous. I’ve never played in front of a crowd like that before. … The crowd was close to the same today as it was yesterday. Once the rain came, a few people left, but it was a great experience. Good for the future.”
The competition continues to be a proving ground for the next generation of golf talent, with Blades Brown’s win adding an exciting chapter to his burgeoning career.
