Why 17-year-old phenom Blades Brown decided to turn pro

Most high school juniors spend their spring semester touring colleges, studying for the SAT and trying to nab a date to prom. Blades Brown is spending his time playing against the best golfers in the world.

Brown, a 17-year-old from Nashville, Tenn., announced earlier this year his decision to forgo college and instead turn pro right out of high school. He made his pro debut at the American Express and missed the 54-hole cut, but he held his own much of the week as he fired a second-round 64.

It’s not every day you see someone only a year removed from getting their driver’s license playing on Tour, but Brown is breaking the norm. So, why did the 17-year-old opt to turn pro before even finishing high school? He explained his decision on this week’s episode of GOLF’s Subpar.

It wasn’t always Brown’s plan to turn pro so soon. In fact, before making his decision to forgo the collegiate route, he visited a number of colleges during the recruitment process.

“I think a really really big pillar for me was that I was gonna get better [by going pro],” Brown said. “Like I was gonna get better in college, but I know that I’m gonna get better playing against the best in the world.”

Brown spoke with a number of pros as he mulled his options, particularly those in the Nashville area, and ultimately came to the conclusion that turning pro early would give him the best chance to succeed at the next level.

“Brandt Snedeker — he’s a Nashville guy — I just see all the success that he’s had, and I’m like, ‘That could be me,'” Brown said. “They’ve definitely inspired me to make this decision.”

Check out below for the full episode with Brown.