John Daly II, the 22-year-old son of two-time major champion John Daly, made a solid start to his PGA Tour career with a 2-under 70 in the opening round of the Puerto Rico Open. The University of Arkansas senior finished tied for 21st, highlighted by a chip-in birdie on the 16th hole at Grand Reserve Golf Club. Chandler Blanchet leads after an 8-under 64.
Daly II started strongly, birdieing the first hole and saving par with a 20-foot putt on the second. He recorded four birdies and two bogeys overall, including a notable chip-in for birdie on the par-3 16th hole. "It was good," Daly II said. "Got off to a good start, made a nice birdie on 1. Solid up-and-down on 2, made about a 20-footer for par, which is nice, settled me in. And then just hit some good shots. Feel like I left a few out there, but I made it up with just a couple good saves and nice chip-in on 16."
At the time of his finish in the early wave, Daly II was tied for 13th, six shots behind leader Chandler Blanchet. Blanchet, who earned his PGA Tour card via the Korn Ferry Tour last year, bogeyed the first hole but followed with nine birdies for his lowest PGA Tour round of 64. He holds a one-shot lead over Gordon Sargent. "I missed a 5-footer right on the first hole and I looked at my caddie and he said, ‘This is our test.’ Handled it well," Blanchet said. "Then made some good birdies over the next few holes. Yeah, really solid day."
Other young players performed well: Blades Brown shot 69, Miles Russell 71, and Zhou Yanhan 72. Defending champion Karl Vilips is absent after missing the cut at the Cognizant Classic. The tournament winner earns spots in The Players Championship and PGA Championship, plus a two-year tour exemption.
After his round, Daly II planned relaxation. "I would say I’d go hit balls, but I’m a little tired so I’m just probably going to go to the beach and probably do absolutely nothing for the rest of the day," he said.
