Brown shows no signs of slowing down

AUSTIN, Texas — Blades Brown showed no signs of slowing down after his historic PGA Tour victory, firing a seven-under-par 65 Thursday to move within three shots of leader Trace Crowe in the opening round of the Austin Championship presented by Compliance Solutions.

The 19-year-old Brown, who last week became the youngest PGA Tour winner in 95 years with a playoff victory at the World Wide Technology Championship in Mexico, carded nine birdies at the Fazio Canyons Course of Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa.

His latest performance kept him firmly in contention as he pursues another milestone: A place in the Masters next year. A finish inside the top 50 of the Official World Golf Ranking by the end of the season would secure him an invitation. His victory in Mexico lifted him to No. 62.

Brown also earned a place in two $20-million Signature Events early next year through his breakthrough win.

Crowe, meanwhile, grabbed the outright lead with a career-best 10-under 62, highlighted by 10 birdies. Erik van Rooyen and Max Greyserman were two shots behind after posting 64s.

Crowe, who stands 117th in the FedExCup Fall standings with one tournament remaining after this week, is fighting to retain his PGA Tour card. He credited a swing adjustment with the driver for his impressive performance.

“Just every part of my game was good. It didn’t feel fluky at all,” Crowe said. “Every part of it was just kind of like full go. Made some nice putts and count ‘em up, 62, yeah.”

Brown opted to compete in Austin rather than take a break after his breakthrough victory, traveling straight to Texas despite having no previous experience of the city or the course.

He admitted the quick turnaround initially took its toll, but said he was beginning to feel like himself again.

“I’m starting to get back to normal,” Brown said. “Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, I was still kind of coming off of Sunday. After a couple hours of sleep, I’m feeling a lot better. Get some food in me, yeah, feeling back to normal.”

Brown has already impressed fellow professionals, with Michael Kim and Max Homa both praising his talent after playing alongside him.

Another young standout, Miles Russell, a high school senior headed to Florida State University next year, opened with a 67.

Jackson Koivun, who left Auburn University in June and has already claimed a PGA Tour title while maintaining an unbeaten record in the Presidents Cup, carded a 70 after recovering from trouble around the turn.

The opening round was suspended by darkness with 25 players still to complete their rounds.