Few have matched what Tiger Woods has achieved in his career. Blades Brown is one of those few who have one record in common with the nine-time USGA champion. Brown matched Woods’s record of earning the stroke-play medalist honor in both the U.S. Amateur and the U.S. Junior Amateur. 

Last year, Brown became the youngest co-medalist at the U.S. Amateur Championship. He was 16 when he edged past Benton Weinberg at Cherry Hills. The previous record belonged to Bob Jones. But Jones was 18. Woods of course took notice of Brown’s heroics. 

At Oakland Hills, Blades Brown, again matched what he did last August. Firing two rounds of 66 & 68, the Tennessean’s 2024 boys athlete of the year topped the leaderboard after 36 holes. Of course, that couldn’t have come at a better moment as Tiger Woods was also present in the field. 

Woods’s 15-year-old son, Charlie, made his USGA debut at Oakland. The 15-time major winner flew straight to Bloomfield Township to accompany his son. After getting to know Brown matched his record, Tiger Woods wanted to congratulate him in person. The two posed for a picture after the round, as shared by Nuclr Golf from their X handle. 

Brown, of course, has a long way to go to take a piece of Woods’s USGA record. The former world no.1 six-peated at USGA—three U.S. Junior Amateur titles followed by three U.S. Amateur titles. Brown was eliminated in match play at Cherry Hills, however. At Michigan, Brown, son of former WNBA star, Rhonda Blades, just received a massive boost to bolster his hopes. 

This has been a spectacular few months for the 2023 Tennessee Golf Association’s Player of the Year. He made his PGA Tour debut at the Myrtle Beach Classic tying for 26th. Brown, who had to switch to online classes because of golf, also has signed a deal with equipment giant, Callaway. 

However, for the Woods father-son duo, it has been a rather stark contrast. The 82-time PGA Tour winner and his 15-year-old son have had a topsy-turvy year so far.

Tiger Woods, and his son, Charlie’s fate run parallel to each other

Tiger Woods could only make the trip because he missed the cut at Royal Troon, his last competitive appearance this year. The only flicker in an otherwise forgettable season was the first round at Augusta National in April. Similarly, Woods Jr. played his way into the U.S. Junior Amateur after earning the medalist honor in Coral Springs.

Woods Jr. opened with a round 12-over 82 spoiled by five doubles and four bogeys. TV cameras caught the 15-year-old holding his face in his palm for more than a minute inside the clubhouse. The second round started differently, but a storm halted play for over an hour. When it did resume, the teenager lost the steam. 

Marred by a triple bogey on the 18th, Charlie Woods finished at 162 to miss the cut for match play. The 48-year-old could only watch as parents are not allowed to coach at the U.S. Junior Amateur.

A rough crowd of a thousand followed Woods Jr. and his father through the first 18 holes. After rain, that dwindled to half. Nevertheless, securities and marshals—increased to 18 after the first six holes—tried to control the crowd. 

Tiger Woods came to Oakland Hills after an early exit from the Open, his third MC in a row. However, neither that nor his son’s heartbreak stopped the former world no.1 from congratulating an aspiring pro for his stellar achievement. The 48-year-old plans to tee off with his son at the 2024 PNC Championship, which he jokingly dubbed as the fifth major.