In an extraordinary turn of events at this week’s Mexico Open, the spotlight has found an unlikely hero in the form of 17-year-old golfing sensation, Blades Brown. After making PGA Tour history last month, Brown has now managed to make the cut at the Mexico Open, making waves amongst the lower-ranked PGA Tour players who are eyeing coveted FedEx Cup points.
With high-ranking players such as Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy, and Ludvig Aberg opting to rest before the Arnold Palmer Invitational and Players Championship, the Mexico Open has seen a slightly diluted field at Vidanta Vallarta. This year’s championship has gained added significance with the recent announcement that LIV Golf players could be making a comeback to the PGA Tour. This news, seemingly expedited by Donald Trump’s involvement in the negotiations between the PIF and PGA Tour, has stirred the pot amongst golfers ranked outside the top 70. NBC’s Damon Hack has reported high stress levels amongst several players at the Mexico Open due to this unfolding scenario.
However, all eyes are on Brown, who appears unfazed by the pressure. The Mexico Open is his second PGA Tour start of 2025, following his participation in The American Express. Despite missing the 54-hole cut there, Brown shot a remarkable 64 on the second day, making him the youngest golfer in four decades to achieve such a feat.
Having missed the final round at the Pete Dye Stadium Course, Brown has redeemed himself at the Mexico Open. He made his first PGA Tour cut on Friday, despite a couple of hiccups on the 10th and 16th holes. He managed to recover with a birdie on the 18th hole, finishing two strokes clear of the cut line.
As we head into the weekend, Brown will need to up his game to contend with South African Aldrich Potgieter, who has set a blistering pace with a score of 61 on Friday. Potgieter is only the fourth player in the past 40 years to shoot 61 before turning 21 and currently holds a four-stroke lead over German Stephan Jaeger. Other strong contenders include Englishman Aaron Rai and Akshay Bhatia, one of the highest-ranked players in this week’s field.
Meanwhile, European Ryder Cup hopefuls Paul Waring and Matt Wallace have been less fortunate, both missing the cut at the Mexico Open.
After making the cut, a relieved Brown shared his thoughts, expressing gratitude for the opportunity to play at this level. His focus on the cut line and the satisfaction of finishing with a score of 5 underscores his determination and potential.
As we wait for the next round to unfold, Brown’s performance is a reminder of the unpredictability and thrill of the game. It’s proof that talent can emerge from the most unexpected quarters, pushing boundaries and disrupting norms. In the end, that’s what makes golf such an exhilarating sport to watch and follow.