Hello and welcome back to the Nukes Only News Report!

This week, we’re spotlighting some of the biggest amateur and young professional golfers making waves on the global stage. You truly love to see it! Let’s dive right in:

The Rundown

David Ford Makes a Big Splash in his Opening Round at the Dubai Desert Classic

(via Golfweek)

UNC Senior and PGA Tour U #1 player David Ford wasted no time in turning heads during his first-ever DP World Tour start. Coming off a stellar fall season where his worst finish was a T8, Ford opened with a sizzling 7-under 65 to grab a share of the lead at the 2025 Hero Dubai Desert Classic.

While Ford couldn’t sustain the pace through the weekend, finishing outside the top 50, the experience will undoubtedly prove invaluable as he gears up for a strong finish to his amateur career and a seamless leap to the big tour.

Fellow PGA Tour U standout Preston Summerhays of Arizona State also had a solid week, finishing T37.

Blades Brown Breaks a 40-Year Old Record During Second Round of the Amex

(via Golf.com)

In his pro debut, 17-year-old Blades Brown made history in a big way. After a quiet opening round, Brown caught fire on Friday, tallying 10 birdies en route to an electrifying 8-under 64.

That score marked the lowest round ever recorded by a player under 18 on the PGA Tour in the last 40 years—outperforming a couple of names you might know, like Justin Thomas and Tony Finau.

While Brown narrowly missed the cut on Saturday, his historic round signals a bright future. Look for this young phenom to build on the momentum as he continues his pro journey.

Justin Hastings Wins Latin American Amateur Championship

(via Golf Monthly)

Justin Hastings of the Cayman Islands delivered a clutch final round to claim the Latin America Amateur Championship (LAAC) by one stroke over Peru’s Patrick Sparks.

Hastings' victory secures him spots in some of the game’s most prestigious events, including the 153rd Open Championship at Royal Portrush, the Masters in April, and the U.S. Open at Oakmont.

The San Diego State Senior shot a blistering 64 in the third round to take a commanding four-shot lead into Sunday and held his nerve down the stretch to finish the job.

Arkansas Freshman Gerardo Gomez also impressed with a strong showing, marking him as another rising star to keep on your radar.

Player Spotlight

Jackson Koivun set to Make Another PGA Start at the Farmers

Coming off a remarkable 2024 where he captured every major Freshman award and a National Championship, Jackson Koivun is kicking off his 2025 campaign at the Farmers Insurance Open.

While much of the attention remains on Luke Clanton, don’t be surprised if Koivun charts a similar breakout path this year. This is just the beginning for one of the brightest young talents in the game.

Quote of the Week

That’s it for this week!

We’re hyped to track all the young guns competing at the Farmers and can’t wait for the spring college season to hit full swing.

What are you tuning into this weekend? Got a player you’re rooting for? Drop us a line, and we’ll keep the coverage coming!

Until next time, 🚀
— Nukes Only