Nineteen-year-old Blades Brown became the youngest PGA Tour winner in 95 years on Sunday, rallying from a seven-shot deficit with a 9-under 63 to force a playoff and then defeating Ben James on the second extra hole at the World Wide Technology Championship in Los Cabos, Mexico.
Brown's victory at El Cardonal at Diamante made him the youngest winner since Charles Kocsis won the Michigan Open in 1931 at age 18. James, the former No. 1 in PGA Tour University ranking, had held a four-shot lead entering the final round but faltered, though he forced the playoff with an eagle on the par-5 18th. On the second playoff hole, James missed an 8-foot birdie putt while Brown converted from 3 feet.
"I'm so obsessed with this game. It tests you in so many ways," said Brown, who graduated high school in January and turned professional as a junior. "I love golf, all the stuff that goes into it and I can't wait for what's next."
The win earns Brown a two-year PGA Tour exemption through 2027 and a spot in the 2025 PGA Championship. He finished at 23-under 265, one shot ahead of Michael Kim, who shot 64. Denny McCarthy, winless in nine years, led late but collapsed with a bogey and double bogey on the final holes to shoot 69.
Brown and James have known each other since their junior days. "I got him this time, but I'm sure we'll be battling it out for years to come," Brown said.
