Nashville teenager Blades Brown trails American Express leader by one stroke.

LA QUINTA, Calif. — Blades Brown demonstrated maturity beyond his 18 years amid growing scrutiny on Saturday. He concluded the day with three consecutive birdies, placing him in a tie with world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, both just one stroke behind Si Woo Kim heading into the final round of The American Express.

Kim recorded a 6-under 66 and benefited from playing at La Quinta Country Club as the wind finally picked up in the Coachella Valley. Scheffler and Brown tackled the Stadium Course at PGA West, which is the most challenging course even under calm conditions. Both players carded a 68, albeit in contrasting styles.

Brown, hailing from Nashville, Tennessee, was competing in his seventh consecutive round after arriving from a Korn Ferry Tour event in the Bahamas. This did not deter him from engaging in a game of “paper, scissors, rock” with a young fan before sinking a 25-foot birdie putt on the par-3 17th, followed by a 45-foot birdie on the 18th.

Scheffler faced the brunt of the wind, which picked up while he was on the second hole, and recorded two bogeys, a notable occurrence for him. He nearly ended with another bogey but managed to sink a 25-foot par putt that curled in at the last moment.

Kim stands at 22-under 194, with Scheffler and Brown closely trailing. All three will form the final group on Sunday at the Stadium Course.

The teenager is particularly intriguing. In a sport with a rich history of 165 years of championship golf, the records can be somewhat convoluted. Brown has the potential to become the youngest winner in nearly a century, possibly even longer.

Charles Kocsis won the Michigan Open in 1931 at 18 years and six months, just a couple of months younger than Brown, although that tournament was considered a regional event. Young Tom Morris claimed his first British Open title in 1868 at the age of 17.

Regardless, achieving this milestone would be an extraordinary accomplishment, especially considering the journey to this point. He tied for 17th in the Bahamas at a Korn Ferry Tour event that concluded on Wednesday, took a private jet to California, and arrived at his hotel approximately 14 hours before his tee time.

Feeling fatigued? Not at his age, especially with this opportunity ahead of him.

“I feel great,” Brown stated. “I have another chance to see what we can achieve tomorrow. Another 18 holes, and it should be enjoyable.”

The other two players in the final group are likely to have a good time as well. Scheffler assisted Kim in obtaining a membership at Royal Oaks in Dallas, and they frequently play together on weekends. They have faced off numerous times in the month leading up to The American Express.

Scheffler acknowledged that Kim bested him the last time they played, adding, “Yes, I returned a bit of his money.” Noted, Scottie.

It was at PGA West around 13 years ago that a 17-year-old Kim successfully navigated the last edition of the old Q-school, having to wait until he turned 18 to join the PGA Tour. He was 21 when he won The Players Championship, one of his four victories on tour.

He has also become a favorite among many players.

“Have you ever spent time with him? He’s hilarious,” Scheffler remarked.

Sunday may be strictly business, and they are all aware enough about this tournament not to get caught up in the final group. Scores have remained low even in challenging wind conditions.

Former U.S. Open champion Wyndham Clark, known for his ability to score low unexpectedly, and Eric Cole each shot 66 at La Quinta, placing them two shots behind. Another shot back was Tom Hoge, who recorded a 65 at La Quinta. In total, nine players were separated by just four shots.

The most intriguing among them is Brown, who turned professional last year while still in high school. He received a sponsor exemption to The American Express for the second consecutive year.

“I’m 18 years old playing on the PGA Tour. How amazing is that?” Brown expressed. “I just finished high school about two weeks ago, so it’s nice to have that weight lifted, but I’m really looking forward to tomorrow.”