Drive Chip Putt

Utah’s Brown, Wilde, and Miller Set to Compete in Drive, Chip and Putt Finals at Augusta National

For three young Utah golfers, this Sunday at Augusta National Golf Club will be unlike any other. Nicklaus Miller, Logan Wilde, and Blake Brown have earned their spots in the 11th annual Drive, Chip and Putt National Finals, an annual competition that brings the country’s top junior golfers to the famed course on the eve of the 89th Masters Tournament.

Miller, Wilde, and Brown secured their invitations by excelling through 2024 local, sub-regional, and regional qualifiers, proving their skill under pressure. Now, they’ll take their game to Augusta National in a test of power, precision, and touch, competing in their respective age divisions against the nation’s best.

Blake Brown, a 15-year old from Highland, UT, won his regional division by a single point. He was a two-time Utah Junior Golf Association Golfer of the Year in the 13-14 age division. The day before the regional, he shot 66 from the back tees at Chambers Bay.

“We’re thrilled to see our Blake, Logan and Nicklaus compete at Augusta,” Utah PGA Executive Director Devin Dehlin said. “Utah has a strong history of representation and success at the Drive, Chip & Putt Finals, and I’m confident these juniors will continue that tradition.”

“It feels good not to be nervous anymore,” Logan Wilde said after the awards ceremony at the Chambers Bay Regional. “I was nervous this morning, but it got better. My dad is going be my caddie at Augusta, because he’s the best one.”

Blake (Boys 14-15), Logan (Boys 10-11) and Nicklaus (Boys 12-13) qualified out of the Chambers Bay Regional held September 21, 2024. The top finishers from each region site’s age/gender divisions, a total of 80 finalists, earned a place in the National Finals. Utah’s local and sub-regional qualifiers are conducted by the Utah PGA with PGA Professionals providing support at each facility hosting a qualifier. 

Nicklaus Miller started playing golf so that he could spend time with his dad, Todd Miller. Todd, the director of golf at Brigham Young University, is the son of World Golf Hall of Famer Johnny Miller. Nicklaus says he often gets golf tips from his grandfather. “I’ll call him up and tell him how my game is going, and he’ll give me some suggestions over the phone.”

For these rising stars, the experience extends beyond the competition itself. The chance to walk the grounds of Augusta National, interact with PGA TOUR professionals, and soak in the atmosphere of golf’s most iconic tournament is a dream come true.

The Drive, Chip and Putt National Finals will be broadcast live on Golf Channel, showcasing the next generation of golfers as they compete on one of the sport’s grandest stages. Regardless of the final leaderboard, Miller, Wilde, and Brown will return home with memories to last a lifetime.