John Daly II, son of two-time major champion John Daly, will make his PGA Tour debut at the Puerto Rico Open from March 5-8 at Grand Reserve Golf Club in Rio Grande, Puerto Rico. The 22-year-old received a sponsor exemption into the field, joining other young prospects and notable players. The event offers opportunities for rising talents alongside established professionals.
The Puerto Rico Open, scheduled for March 5-8, 2026, at Grand Reserve Golf Club in Rio Grande, Puerto Rico, features a field blending youth and experience. John Daly II, a 22-year-old student at the University of Arkansas, enters via sponsor exemption for his first official PGA Tour start. Known as "Little John," he gained attention playing alongside his father at the PNC Championship, where the pair won in 2021 and finished runner-up twice. Daly II competed on the Korn Ferry Tour in 2024, missing the cut, and has shown promise in amateur and collegiate events.
Other young players include 17-year-old Miles Russell, future Florida State golfer; 18-year-old Blades Brown, a Korn Ferry Tour member who nearly broke 60 at The American Express; BYU freshman Kihei Akina, in his third PGA Tour event after missing cuts at the 2024 and 2025 Bank of Utah Championships; Evan Pena; and Yanhan Zhou. Akina, from Alpine, Utah, won the Utah Open and has five top-10 finishes in seven collegiate starts this season, including two tied for fifth.
BYU alumni Patrick Fishburn and Zac Blair also participate, marking Fishburn's 61st PGA Tour event and Blair's 227th. Former LIV Golf player Eugenio Chacarra, 25, makes his first PGA Tour appearance since leaving the league in 2024, following a rookie win there after a strong amateur career at Oklahoma State.
Tournament director Matt Truax stated, "Another edition of the Puerto Rico Open has arrived, and we are once again delighted to offer playing opportunities for so many up-and-coming stars."
The event, opposite the Arnold Palmer Invitational, has a $4 million purse, with $720,000 to the winner, plus 300 FedEx Cup points, a two-year PGA Tour exemption, and an invitation to The Players Championship. Karl Vilips defends his title, joined by players like Tony Finau, Matt Kuchar, and Nick Dunlap.