The Blades Brown High School senior, the top-ranked golfer in the Class of 2026, announced Tuesday that he is turning professional.
In a lengthy Instagram post, Brown announced that he will not play college golf and will make his PGA Tour debut in January at The American Express in La Quinta, California.
“I am ready to begin the next chapter of my golf career and will compete as a professional in 2025,” he wrote.
“This is not a decision I will make lightly. Over the last few months I have considered all possible options before deciding what is best for me. While I am proud of the achievements in my amateur career, I am focused on the future and a good start in my professional career.”
Brown, of Nashville, Tennessee, joined Tiger Woods and Bobby Clampett last summer as the only players to medal in both the U.S. Amateur and U.S. Junior events.
In 2023, Brown became the youngest U.S. amateur medalist and the youngest since 18-year-old Bobby Jones in 1920.
Brown played one PGA Tour event this year on sponsor exemption, finishing 10th under par and tied for 26th in May’s Myrtle Beach Classic.
He failed to complete PGA Tour qualifying school this fall, but he already has a number of sponsor waivers for 2025, Yahoo Sports reports.
In July, The Tennessean reported that Brown would no longer attend Brentwood Academy and would take online courses to fit his golf schedule.
