Blades Brown is a leader in the weekend of the 2026 Puerto Rico Open, the PGA Tour's first event of the year outside of the continental United States. After a close call early in the year, Brown is looking for a breakthrough win.
Brown is 18 years old, and he is in the field at the Puerto Rico Open because of a sponsor exemption.
For Brown, his journey to the PGA Tour is a remarkable story.
Brown was born in Nashville, Tennessee. He turned pro before he ever played college golf, doing so as a teeanger at the age of 17.
Brown is hitting his prime
Blades Brown has been successful at every level, including as an amateur and after he turned pro in 2025.
In 2023, Brown, at the age of 16, broke Bobby Jones' 103-year record of being the youngest medalist in the history of the US Amateur, which dates back to 1895.
Brown managed to earn Korn Ferry Tour full status in 2026 after playing throughout the season on 2025 while trying to earn PGA Tour status and taking advantage of playing opportunities and his performance on the Korn Ferry Tour.
Entering this week, Brown was not yet ranked in FedEx Cup points and ranked 337th in the Official World Golf Ranking. He earned his way into this event with an exemption.
In his personal life, Brown is single.
What a win at the Puerto Rico Open means
With a win in this event, Brown would earn the benefits of being a PGA Tour winner, including a two-year PGA Tour exemption, and he would gain a berth into the 2026 PGA Championship. And, according to the 2026 Puerto Rico Open payout, he would win $720,000 to top it all off.
