"My Father Has Missed About Two Events in My Life": 19-Year-Old Gets Emotional After Earning PGA Tour Status
Bildnummer: 11660442 Datum: 12.10.2012 Copyright: imago/Xinhua ANTALYA, Oct. 12, 2012 - Justin Rose of England plays a shot during his match at the final of the Turkish Airlines World Golf Final at Antalya Golf Club in Antalya, Turkey, on Oct. 12, 2012. (Xinhua/Ma Yan) TURKEY-ANTALYA-WORLD GOLF FINAL PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxCHN; Golf Herren x2x xmb 2012 quer o00 Symbol Silhouette Golfer Golfspieler Image number 11660442 date 12 10 2012 Copyright imago Xinhua Antalya OCT 12 2012 Justin Rose of England Plays A Shot during His Match AT The Final of The Turkish Airlines World Golf Final AT Antalya Golf Club in Antalya Turkey ON OCT 12 2012 Xinhua Ma Yan Turkey Antalya World Golf Final PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxCHN Golf men x2x xmb 2012 horizontal o00 symbol Silhouette Golfers Golfer
Bildnummer: 11660442 Datum: 12.10.2012 Copyright: imago/Xinhua ANTALYA, Oct. 12, 2012 - Justin Rose of England plays a shot during his match at the final of the Turkish Airlines World Golf Final at Antalya Golf Club in Antalya, Turkey, on Oct. 12, 2012. (Xinhua/Ma Yan) TURKEY-ANTALYA-WORLD GOLF FINAL PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxCHN; Golf Herren x2x xmb 2012 quer o00 Symbol Silhouette Golfer Golfspieler Image number 11660442 date 12 10 2012 Copyright imago Xinhua Antalya OCT 12 2012 Justin Rose of England Plays A Shot during His Match AT The Final of The Turkish Airlines World Golf Final AT Antalya Golf Club in Antalya Turkey ON OCT 12 2012 Xinhua Ma Yan Turkey Antalya World Golf Final PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxCHN Golf men x2x xmb 2012 horizontal o00 symbol Silhouette Golfers Golfer
Golfer Blades Brown turned 19 on Thursday, and on Sunday he earned PGA Tour status. The achievement marks a milestone for the Nashville native.
Brown credited the milestone to the support of his parents, especially his father, who has been a constant presence throughout his career.
"I know my route to the PGA Tour is a very uncommon route," Brown said. "It's mainly because of my parents. They've been my biggest supporters. I think my dad has missed about two events in my entire life. And he believed in me whenever I didn't believe in myself."
It all began when Parke Brown, his father, introduced him to golf at Richland Country Club at the age of 8, and since then, he has been present at almost every tournament supporting his son.
Brown secured Special Temporary Membership on the PGA Tour on Sunday after finishing tied for 14th at the CJ Cup Byron Nelson at TPC Craig Ranch. He shot a final-round 67 to finish at 18-under par, well inside the tie for 21st he needed to earn the status.
He added, "It's been pretty cool, and I'm really happy with the decision that I made to turn pro."
Special Temporary Membership allows Brown to play more PGA Tour events for the rest of the 2026 season, including the fall events. Before this, he could only receive seven sponsor exemptions as a non-member.
Brown came into the week ranked No. 112 in the world. The CJ Cup Byron Nelson was his 15th tournament of the season. He has played six PGA Tour events and eight Korn Ferry Tour events.
Blades Brown Faces a Three-Way Decision on What Comes Next After Earning His PGA Tour Status
Special Temporary Membership gives Brown three options. He can focus only on the PGA Tour, try to earn better status through the Korn Ferry Tour, or play events on both tours. Each choice carries some risk.
Brown can now focus on the PGA Tour, the Korn Ferry Tour, or split time between both, with his next start set for the Korn Ferry Tour event in Raleigh before deciding the rest of his schedule.
"I'm excited for the next couple of weeks and see what's going to happen," he said.
A top-20 finish in the Korn Ferry Tour points standings would earn Brown a full PGA Tour card for 2027. He currently sits 13th.
Players who previously came through Special Temporary Membership and went on to succeed on tour include Akshay Bhatia, Min Woo Lee, Ryan Gerard, Ryan Fox, and Nicolai Hojgaard.
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Written by
Sneha Abraham
Edited by
Pulkit Prabhav