Scottie Scheffler and Blades Brown could end up playing together in the final group of the American Express on Sunday.
Blades Brown lit up the Nicklaus Course on Friday, firing a 60 to pull level with Scheffler at the top of the leaderboard after two rounds of the American Express.
The world number one has shot rounds of 63 and 64 so far, despite not quite being at his best this week in La Quinta, California.
On the other hand, Brown began his tournament with a steady five-under 67 before catching fire on Friday.
The teenager capped it off with a stunning round of 60, coming just one stroke short of breaking 60 after parring his final three holes.
Scottie Scheffler says if Blades Brown has shocked him at the American Express
It is hard to wrap your head around the fact that Brown is just 18.
The level of composure he has shown on the course is remarkable, especially for someone still so new to this stage.
Scheffler was asked if he would be surprised to see a 59 at the American Express this week. He replied: “Would it surprise me? I think any time anybody’s able to shoot a 59 I think it’s an impressive round of golf.”
When questioned about whether he would be surprised if the 18-year-old American was the one who managed to achieve a score under 60, he stated: “No, I mean, these kids coming out they know they got to come out and make some birdies.
“I think when you’re coming out young you don’t have as much scar tissue as the guys that are a little bit more seasoned, and you just come out, and if you want to make a name for yourself you got to put up some good scores.
“It sounds like an 18 year old shooting 59 is a pretty good start to his career there.”
Scottie Scheffler looks to keep up his PGA Tour success
Brown’s big test on Saturday will be following up his round of 60 with another strong score.
On the other hand, Scheffler is on the hunt for his 20th PGA Tour win.
He has been the standout player in professional golf for several years now, and he seems to keep finding ways to get even better.
If he turns in another season with five or six wins, especially if a couple of those are majors, talk about him being compared to Tiger Woods will only grow louder.
Scheffler continues to deliver performances we have not consistently seen since Woods was at his peak.
It is hard not to see the world number one as the favourite this week at the American Express, but Brown could very well be his main competition.
And that would be quite a story to start off the 2026 season.
- READ MORE: Blades Brown opens up on whether he wants Scottie Scheffler pairing at the American Express
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