Dunlap finished the year in the FedEx Cup playoffs and comes to The American Express ranked 32nd in the world. At the Sony Open in Hawaii last week, Dunlap tied for 10th. For Dunlap, returning to the scene of his breakthrough victory means reliving old memories.

The PGA Tour is rolling into California for The American Express this week. Last season, amateur Nick Dunlap won his first professional event in a history-making appearance. N0w, 17-year-old Blades Brown makes his professional debut looking to make similar history.

Brown, 17, will make his pro debut this week at The American Express in Palm Springs, where Dunlap won as an amateur a year ago.

The 17-year-old Nashville native, already etched in golf’s record books, draws inspiration from Nick Dunlap’s victory at La Quinta last year.

Each time The American Express golf tournament is played in the Coachella Valley, new questions arise along with the arrival of some of the best players in the world. That’s no different this week when the tournament is played for the 66th time on three different desert courses.

In 2024, Nick Dunlap went from a college golfer having fun with his teammates at the University of Alabama to a surprise winner as an amateur at The American Express in January to turning pro in February and winning another PGA event in July. It was a stunning year full of firsts for the now 21-year-old native of Alabama.

Justin Thomas, Patrick Cantlay and Nick Dunlap Compete at The American Express at PGA West in La Quinta, Calif., – Thursday-Sunday Coverage on GOLF Channel Begins at 4 p.m. ET

Teenager Blades Brown is in for a new life experience this week. No, not playing a PGA Tour event. He crossed that one off the list when he made the cut and tied for 26th as an amateur at the Myrtle Beach Classic last year.