Blades Brown ends 88-year wait for a teen win

Blades Brown captured the World Wide Technology Championship on Sunday at El Cardonal at Diamante, claiming the PGA Tour title at age 19. He defeated Ben James with a birdie on the second playoff hole after the two men finished the regulation round tied at 23-under 265. Brown, who was 19 years and 171 days old at the time of the win, became the youngest tour champion since 1938.

The race for the trophy remained tight through the back nine, with eight players within two shots of the lead. Brown moved into first place with three consecutive birdies, including a 6-foot putter on the 18th. His playing partner, Michael Kim, finished a stroke back with a total of 24-under 264. Ben James, who started the final round four shots ahead, required an eagle on the par-5 18th to join the tie. He reached the green from 285 yards and sank the putt to finish with a 70.

James had led the tournament earlier in the week but saw his position erode as Brown surged. McCarthy also threatened the leaders after a 30-foot birdie on the 13th, but he fell back after bogeys at the 14th and 15th, finishing with a 69. Brown and James, who have known each other since junior golf, met on the first playoff hole where both missed eagle putts. On the second attempt, both players finished short of the green. James’s pitch went eight feet past the cup, while his birdie attempt struck the right edge. Brown rolled in a 3-footer to secure the win.

Before the final round, Brown had already earned a 2027 PGA Tour card via the Korn Ferry Tour points list. He turned professional two years ago while still a high school junior and graduated in January. The victory grants him a two-year exemption on the tour. It also qualifies him for the Championship Series under the tour’s new model starting in 2028. Additionally, the win earns him his first major championship appearance at next year’s PGA Championship.

James, the top-ranked player from PGA Tour University last season, now has five top-five finishes in 13 professional starts. Brown said he expects their rivalry to continue for years. McCarthy, who has played on the tour for nine years, remains without a victory in 240 starts.

The win places Brown in the company of historic young winners, surpassing Jordan Spieth, who was 19 years and 352 days old when he won the 2013 John Deere Classic. The last player younger than Brown to win on the tour was Bobby Dunkelberger, who took the St. Augustine Pro-Amateur in 1938 at age 18.