18-year-old phenom Blades Brown has stunned the golfing world in the second round of The American Express tournament in California, shooting a -12 par 60 to share the lead with world no. 1 Scottie Scheffler.
Brown broke the course record at the Nicklaus Tournament Course and his 60 is the lowest PGA Tour round by an 18-year-old in 43 years.
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The teen sensation started red-hot in Round 2, carding six birdies and an eagle from his first eight holes.
He had a golden opportunity to shoot a ultra rare 59, but missed a birdie putt on 18.
Brown and Scheffler lead the way on -17, but there are a stack of contenders in striking range at the halfway point of the $US9.2m ($A13m) event, which uses a unique three course format.
The highly spruiked Brown turned pro in 2025 as a 17-year-old, forgoing a college path to tee it up with the best golfers in the world.
Brown played in nine PGA Tour events last year, with a T34 his best result (Mexico Open, Bermuda Championship).
His round of 60 at the Nicklaus Tournament Course was the day’s highest, matched only by fellow American Andrew Putnam, who shot 60 on the La Quinta track.
The American Express uses three different golf courses (La Quinta, Nicklaus, Pete Dye) which the 156 players in the field each play once across the first three days.
At the end of the third round, there is a cut which slashes the field size to roughly 65 for the final round.
Aussie star Min Woo Lee finished the first round in a share of the lead but dropped back through the field in Round 2.
Lee is -11, six shots behind the leader.
The best placed Aussie is young gun Karl Vilips, who is -12 after rounds of 67 and 65.
Adam Scott and Jason Day are in contention as well, with both on -10.
While Brown is a terrific story, the freakishly consistent Scheffler will be terribly hard to beat.
The best golfer on the planet carded scores of 63 and 64 across the first two rounds at La Quinta and Nicklaus Tournament Course respectively.
AMEX LEADERBOARD – ROUND 2
S. Scheffler -17
B. Brown -17
SW. Kim -16
SH. Kim -15
M. McCarty -15
Australians
K. Vilips -12
MW. Lee -11
A.Scott -10
J. Day -10
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