The 2026 American Express in La Quinta has turned into an event filled with unexpected turns, as three prominent professional golfers left the tournament early. While world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler leads at 17-under par, the emergence of a new star, 18-year-old Blades Brown, has captivated fans and put a positive spin on the competition.
Rising star Luke Clanton, who had a promising start with a 2-under par 70 on Thursday, had to withdraw due to illness before the second round. Clanton, fresh from a disappointing performance at the Sony Open where he finished at +1, may have been affected by travel fatigue from Hawaii. Rico Hoey, ranked No. 71 in the world, also left the competition citing sickness after a challenging first day, where he finished 5-over par 77. His battle continued into Friday, but after a lackluster performance, he too exited the tournament.
Nick Dunlap, the defending champion, also faced hardship as he finished his round on Friday but sustained an injury, adding to the list of withdrawals. Dunlap, who made history at last year’s event by becoming the first amateur in 33 years to win a tour event, struggled with his game this time around and opened with a painful 77, sitting at 7-over par.
Despite the exits of these three talented players, the tournament continues to hold excitement. The absence of Clanton, Hoey, and Dunlap has cleared the stage for promising newcomer Blades Brown. Having turned professional just last December, Brown has already made headlines by breaking a long-standing record as the youngest medalist in U.S. Amateur history.
After arriving from a Korn Ferry Tour event in the Bahamas, Brown wasted no time making an impact in La Quinta. He recorded ten birdies and an eagle, finishing with a remarkable score of 60 on the Nicklaus course, narrowly missing the record for the lowest round in tour history. Now tied with Scottie Scheffler at 17-under par, Brown’s ascent is inspiring in a tournament that has seen its share of setbacks.
The 2026 American Express is not just about the disappointing exits but is also a celebration of a new golf prodigy making waves in the sport. While it’s unfortunate for the golfers who left, the emergence of Blades Brown reminds us that the California desert has a unique ability to foster fresh talent and create thrilling storylines.