Puerto Rico Open 2026: John Daly II Captivates in PGA Tour Debut, Final Round Underway Now
The 2026 Puerto Rico Open at Grand Reserve Golf Club in Rio Grande is wrapping up its final round today, Sunday, March 8. Ricky Castillo leads at 12 under par, but the story of the entire week has been 22-year-old amateur John Daly II — son of two-time major champion John Daly — who made his PGA Tour debut and had fans on the edge of their seats all week.
John Daly II — The Week That Captivated the Golf World
Daly II arrived at Grand Reserve directly from playing in the Cabo Collegiate with his Arkansas teammates. He was so tired after Thursday's opening 70 that he blew off practice for an afternoon at the beach. He fired a 5-under 67 on Friday, then went bogey-free for 17 holes Saturday before a closing bogey capped a third-round 70 and knocked him to 9 under — three shots off the lead.
Daly II tied for the lead at one point in Round 3 when he hit a 5-iron onto the green at the par-5 12th hole for eagle, moving him to 10 under. On the next par 5, he pulled driver off the deck to the front of the green — only to three-putt for par from 75 feet. A closing bogey on 18 snapped a streak of 46 consecutive holes without a bogey.
Arkansas head coach Brad McMakin could not hide his pride: "In my 30 years of coaching, this is the most satisfying thing I've ever seen from a player." Daly told reporters after Round 3: "It was the windiest day of the week so far. It was really hard to get the numbers right. But stayed in it well, hit some good shots. Oh, well, it was a good day."
Who Is John Daly II? The Rise of "LJ"
John Daly II, nicknamed "LJ," is a 22-year-old University of Arkansas senior who earned a sponsored invitation into the Puerto Rico Open as an amateur. He won the 2025 Southern Amateur Championship at The Blessings Golf Club — a springboard that sent him to the US Amateur quarterfinals. He arrived in Puerto Rico fresh off the team's Cabo Collegiate tournament, flying straight to the island without a day off.
His father John Daly, who won the 1991 PGA Championship and the 1995 Open Championship, simply told his son to "expect a lot of cameras, but just go out and enjoy it." LJ joked he is currently "about 40 yards past him" in terms of driving distance — a statement that says plenty about how far the younger Daly's game has come.
As an amateur, John Daly II will not receive any payout from the Puerto Rico Open's $4 million purse regardless of his final finish — joining fellow amateurs Miles Russell and Kihei Akina, who also made the cut.
Puerto Rico Open Leaderboard — Final Round in Progress
Ricky Castillo enters the final round at 12 under, one ahead of John Parry of England. Castillo posted a bogey-free 68 Saturday in strong winds, chipping in for birdie on the 12th. "This is the position that all of us have dreamed of and want to be in — a chance to win a golf tournament," Castillo said. "I've been fortunate to have that opportunity a few times and haven't gotten it done, so hopefully we'll do it tomorrow."
Eighteen-year-old phenom Blades Brown — who just graduated high school in January — enters Sunday's final round in contention as well. Brown made a 50-foot eagle putt on the par-5 14th in Round 3, the highlight of his 3-under 69, and is eyeing a chance to become the youngest PGA Tour winner in 95 years.
What Is at Stake in Puerto Rico Today
The winner of the Puerto Rico Open earns a spot in THE PLAYERS Championship next week and the PGA Championship, but not the Masters — because the event is played as the opposite-field event to the Arnold Palmer Invitational. The total purse is $4 million.
