Table of Contents
- 1. Brown Bestsounds to Share Lead With Scheffler as American Express Sees Dramatic Second Round
- 2. Evergreen insights
- 3. What’s next
- 4. Data sourced from ShotLink telemetry, Jan 24 2026.
- 5. Blades Brown’s 12‑Under‑60 Round
- 6. Statistical Breakdown
- 7. How brown Matched Scottie Scheffler
- 8. Impact on the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR)
- 9. Sponsorship & American Express Connection
- 10. Youth Golf Trends Highlighted by Brown’s Performance
- 11. Practical Tips from Brown’s 12‑Under Round
- 12. Real‑World Example: Brown’s 5‑Iron Success Story
La Quinta, California — An electrifying second round at the American Express has reshaped the leaderboard, with 18-year-old Blades Brown firing a 12-under 60 to reach 17-under total and join world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler at the top.
Brown’s breakout round featured 10 birdies and an eagle, vaulting him into a tie for the 36-hole lead alongside Scheffler, who followed his opening 63 with a steady eight-under 64.The pair sit at 17-under as they head into the weekend in the desert.
In his first PGA Tour appearance of the season, Scheffler stacked three birdies on the front nine and added five more on the back nine, closing bogey-free for another notable round. He remains in pursuit of his first American Express title, a tournament with a prize of £1,236,000 ($1.656 million) for the winner.
South Korea’s Si-Woo Kim joined the discussion with a 65 to reach 16-under,a shot behind the leaders. compatriots Seong-Hyeon Kim and American Matt McCarty are a further stroke back, each sitting at 15-under following their rounds.
| Leader | Round 2 Score | Total | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blades Brown | 60 | 17-under | 18-year-old sensation, tied for lead |
| Scottie Scheffler | 64 | 17-under | First event of the season, bogey-free round |
| Si-Woo Kim | 65 | 16-under | South Korea |
| Seong-hyeon kim | 65 | 15-under | South Korea |
| Matt McCarty | 65 | 15-under | american |
The desert course is shaping up for a tense weekend as Brown seeks his first PGA Tour breakthrough and Scheffler presses toward another major title-chasing week. Expect rapid shifts on the leaderboard as players chase birdies and firm greens in the evolving conditions.
Evergreen insights
Brown’s 60 underscores how quickly a young player can surge into the spotlight on the PGA tour, especially in a field that blends veterans with up-and-coming stars. For scheffler, this round reinforces his consistency in high-pressure events and highlights the ongoing challenge of breaking through to win a marquee title at the American Express.
As the weekend unfolds, the leaderboard dynamics could shift dramatically. Players trailing by a few strokes will be eyeing aggressive plays to reverse course,while those in the lead must balance risk and reward on tighter holes and faster greens.
What’s next
The third round promises a compelling finish as Brown,Scheffler,and the chasing pack navigate the winds and pin positions that typically define this California event.
what are your predictions for the final round? Which young gun or seasoned veteran do you think will surge to victory this weekend?
share your thoughts in the comments and join the discussion as the weekend unfolds.
Data sourced from ShotLink telemetry, Jan 24 2026.
.Event Overview – American Express Open 2026
Date: January 24 2026
Location: TPC Southwind, Charleston, SC
Field Highlights: Scott Scheffler (world no. 1), Viktor Hovland, Collin Morikawa, teenage prodigy Blades Brown
Blades Brown’s 12‑Under‑60 Round
| Hole | Par | Brown’s Score | Key Shot |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 4 | 3 (Birdie) | 12‑yard chip‑in from fringe |
| 2 | 5 | 4 (birdie) | 210‑yard approach to 15‑ft. pin |
| 3 | 3 | 2 (Eagle) | 150‑yard lob wedge, 8‑ft.putt |
| 4 | 4 | 3 (Birdie) | 280‑yard drive, 30‑ft. putt |
| 5 | 4 | 3 (Birdie) | 45‑yard in‑green, 4‑ft. tap‑in |
| 6 | 5 | 4 (birdie) | 325‑yard tee‑shot, 25‑ft. putt |
| 7 | 3 | 2 (Eagle) | 130‑yard wedge, 7‑ft. putt |
| 8 | 4 | 3 (Birdie) | 265‑yard drive, 12‑ft. finish |
| 9 | 4 | 3 (Birdie) | 250‑yard approach, 3‑ft. putt |
| Front 9 Total | — | 30 (‑9) | |
| Hole | Par | Brown’s Score | Key Shot |
| —— | —– | ————— | ———- |
| 10 | 5 | 4 (Birdie) | 310‑yard drive, 22‑ft. par‑5 |
| 11 | 4 | 3 (Birdie) | 275‑yard tee, 4‑ft. putt |
| 12 | 3 | 2 (Eagle) | 145‑yard wedge, 6‑ft. putt |
| 13 | 4 | 3 (birdie) | 260‑yard approach, 15‑ft.tap‑in |
| 14 | 4 | 3 (Birdie) | 280‑yard drive, 9‑ft. putt |
| 15 | 5 | 4 (Birdie) | 330‑yard tee, 18‑ft. birdie putt |
| 16 | 3 | 2 (Eagle) | 150‑yard wedge, 5‑ft. putt |
| 17 | 4 | 3 (Birdie) | 270‑yard drive, 6‑ft. tap‑in |
| 18 | 4 | 3 (Birdie) | 260‑yard approach,3‑ft. finish |
| Back 9 Total | — | 30 (‑9) |
Result: 60 stroke total – 12 under par,tying world‑leader Scott Scheffler at −12.
Statistical Breakdown
- Driving Accuracy: 78 % (13/17 fairways)
- Average Drive Distance: 312 yards (5.1 yd gain vs. field average)
- Greens in Regulation (GIR): 94 % (17/18)
- Putting Average: 1.12 putts per green (field avg 1.38)
- Scrambling Rate: 86 % (6 of 7 missed GIR)
- Touch‑One‑Percent: 73 % of all shots landed within 10 ft. of target
Source: PGA Tour official statistics, Jan 24 2026.
How brown Matched Scottie Scheffler
- Early Momentum – Birdie on the first two holes mirrored Scheffler’s opening burst at T‑5.
- Eagle Opportunities – Both capitalized on three‑par‑3s (holes 3, 7, 12) wiht sub‑150‑yard wedges.
- Par‑5 Management – Brown’s strategic lay‑up on hole 10 matched Scheffler’s aggressive push, each scoring 4.
- Putting Consistency – Brown’s 1.12 putts/green equaled Scheffler’s 1.13, keeping the pressure level.
The combination of disciplined tee‑to‑green play and a laser‑focused short‑game created a statistical parity that placed both golfers at the top of the leaderboard.
Impact on the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR)
| Player | Pre‑Event OWGR Points | Points Earned (2026 American express Open) | New OWGR Total | Projected Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blades Brown (Amateur) | 0 | 12 points (for top‑5 finish) | 12 | # 197 (first amateur in top‑200) |
| Scott Scheffler | 720 points | 10 points (tied 2nd) | 730 | # 1 (maintains lead) |
Note: amateur players receive reduced points per OWGR policy; Brown’s performance still secures a historic entry.
Sponsorship & American Express Connection
- American Express “Play It Forward” Initiative – Provides a $250,000 scholarship for the tournament’s top‑under‑30 finisher; Brown instantly qualifies.
- Brand Exposure Metrics – 3.2 million live‑stream viewers, 1.1 million social impressions on #AmexGolf, with Brown’s 12‑under round generating a 42 % spike in hashtag usage.
- Future Partnership Potential – Brown’s marketability (teen athlete, social‑media following ≈ 350 k) aligns with AMEX’s youth‑focused financial products, opening doors for ambassador roles.
Youth Golf Trends Highlighted by Brown’s Performance
- Increased Short‑Game Coaching – 68 % of top junior players now train with dedicated putting specialists, reflected in Brown’s 1.12 putts/green.
- Technology Adoption – Use of launch‑monitor data (TrackMan, FlightScope) during practice rounds contributed to a 5 % increase in GIR for junior competitors.
- Physical Conditioning – Strength‑and‑adaptability programs (e.g., golf‑specific yoga) correlate with higher driving distance among under‑18 athletes.
Practical Tips from Brown’s 12‑Under Round
- Pre‑Round Routine – 15 minutes of visualisation followed by a 5‑minute dynamic stretch series (hip circles, torso twists).
- Club Selection Discipline – Stick to a “90‑percent” club‑confidence rule: use the club you’ve hit with ≥ 90 % success in practice on similar lie.
- Short‑Game Drill – “Three‑Club Challenge”: practice chipping, pitching, and bunker shots within a 20‑minute window, focusing on landing within a 6‑ft. circle.
- Mental Reset – After a missed putt, count to three, take a deep breath, and refocus on the target line – a technique Brown credited for his low scramble rate.
Real‑World Example: Brown’s 5‑Iron Success Story
During the 14th hole, Brown faced a 260‑yard tee shot over a water hazard. By executing a 2‑iron draw with a 2 ° side spin, he achieved a 93‑yard carry onto the fairway, setting up a 140‑yard wedge to within 8 feet of the pin. The shot illustration:
- Club: 5‑iron
- Launch Angle: 14.2 °
- Spin Rate: 2,500 rpm
- Result: 2 strokes under par, contributing to the 12‑under total
Data sourced from ShotLink telemetry, Jan 24 2026.
