18-year old Blades Brown breaks course record, tied atop American Express with Scottie Scheffler
LA QUINTA, Calif. (KESQ) -- Blades Brown had himself a round of a lifetime on Friday.
The 18-year-old shot 60 (12-under) on the Nicklaus Tournament Course in the second round of the American Express, setting a new course record for the tournament.
Have a day, Blades Brown 👏 pic.twitter.com/LiaFZfVx34
— The American Express ® (@theamexgolf) January 23, 2026
Had Brown made his 6-foot birdie putt on his final hole, he would have became the youngest player to shoot 59 in PGA TOUR history.
The Tennessee native Brown played in the American Express last year on a sponsor exemption.
This year, he's tied for the lead with World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler at 17-under par after two rounds.
Young fella shot a Nicklaus Tournament course-record 60 (-12) in the second round today to tie Scheffler atop the leaderboard. Brown had a 6-footer for 59 but pushed it right. Big-time round from a big-time talent. @KESQ @kendallkesq @Tarp1969 @theamexgolf https://t.co/M5ji25LEq8
— Blake Arthur (@BlakeArthur24) January 23, 2026
Scheffler continued his strong start to the 2026 season and remains the favorite to win the tournament, which would be his 20th victory on the PGA TOUR.
63 and 64 for Scottie Scheffler in his first two rounds of the year. He's atop the leaderboard at 17-under heading into the weekend here in La Quinta. @KESQ @theamexgolf @kendallkesq @Tarp1969
— Blake Arthur (@BlakeArthur24) January 23, 2026
The World No. 1 backed up his 63 on Thursday at La Quinta Country Club with a 64 on Friday at the Nicklaus Tournament Course. Scheffler has yet to make a bogey in his first two rounds.
Click HERE for a full look at the leaderboard.
Stay with KESQ News Channel 3 for continuing coverage of the 2026 American Express.
