Teenager Blades Brown debating temporary PGA Tour membership

Field Level Media|published: Mon 25th May, 12:58 2026

May 24, 2026; McKinney, Texas, USA; Blades Brown watches his shot from the second tee during the final round of THE CJ CUP Byron Nelson golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images

Teenager Blades Brown has a decision to make about his golf career.

With his T14 finish on Sunday at the CJ Cup Byron Nelson in McKinney, Texas, Brown earned a special temporary membership on the PGA Tour for the remainder of 2026. That includes the fall season.

With that membership, Brown is entitled to accept unlimited sponsor exemptions. Non-members are limited to seven exemptions.

Brown has not announced whether he will make his main job the PGA Tour with a side gig in the developmental Korn Ferry Tour -- or vice versa,

It's a good problem to have.

"It's a pretty cool spot to be in," said Brown, who turned 19 last week. "I'm really thankful."

So far in 2026, Brown has played in 14 events -- eight on the Korn Ferry Tour, six on the PGA Tour -- and indicated he planned to play at the Korn Ferry stop in Raleigh, N.C., that beings Thursday.

He finished third at the PGA Tour's Puerto Rico Open earlier this year.

The decision Brown makes as he plans his schedule for the rest of 2026 could impact him when it comes to gaining full PGA Tour membership.

"I'm excited for the next couple of weeks and see what's going to happen," Brown said.

--Field Level Media

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