Blades Brown Wins PGA Tour Title at 19 Years, 171 Days

Blades Brown secured his first PGA Tour victory on Sunday by sinking a three-foot birdie putt in the second playoff hole against Ben James.

The win at the World Wide Technology Championship in Los Cabos, Mexico, made Brown the youngest tour winner in 88 years.

Brown, 19 years and 171 days old, shot a final-round 63 to erase a seven-shot deficit. His total of 23-under 265 placed him one stroke ahead of Michael Kim, who finished at 22-under. Brown beat James on their second attempt on the par-5 18th hole.

The youngest previous winner was 18-year-old Bobby Dunkelberger, who captured the St. Augustine Pro-Amateur in 1938. Jordan Spieth held the prior record for the youngest 19-year-old winner, achieving it in 2013 at the John Deere Classic.

Brown maintained his lead on the back nine with consecutive birdies. He finished the regulation round with a birdie from six feet on the 18th. James, who started the day four strokes ahead, required an eagle at the 18th to force a playoff. He reached 20 feet with a 285-yard approach and sank the putt to finish with a 70.

In the playoff, both players missed eagle opportunities on the first hole. On the second, they each pitched close from short of the green. James’s birdie attempt hit the right edge of the cup but did not drop, allowing Brown to claim the title.

The victory grants Brown a two-year PGA Tour exemption, a spot in the 2028 Championship Series, and a berth in next year’s PGA Championship. He turned professional two years ago while still in high school and graduated in January. James, a junior golf acquaintance of Brown’s, has recorded five top-five finishes in his 13 professional starts.