Ricky Castillo captured his maiden PGA Tour title at the 2026 Puerto Rico Open, edging Chandler Blanchet by one stroke at 17-under par 271 with a bogey-free final-round 67 at Grand Reserve Golf Club in Rio Grande, Puerto Rico. The 25-year-old former Florida Gator, entering as an alternate, earned $720,000, 300 FedExCup points, full exemption through 2028, and spots in the Players Championship and PGA Championship—marking the 100th Tour win for his alma mater.
The 2026 Puerto Rico Open, the first of four opposite-field events with a $4 million purse, showcased emerging talents at Grand Reserve Golf Club. Castillo, from Yorba Linda, California, opted to play as an alternate rather than qualify for the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill. He entered the final round with a one-shot lead, extending it via a chip-in eagle on the par-5 sixth, birdies on the par-3 seventh, 13th, and par-5 14th, with three consecutive 68s prior and bogey-free over his last 52 holes, saving par on the closing stretch.
Blanchet birdied the 18th for his own 67 and solo second at 16-under. Amateur Blades Brown, 18, finished third at 14-under after leading on the back nine but triple-bogeying 13. Davis Thompson took fourth at 13-under, while Paul Peterson (66), Luke Clanton (68), and Matti Schmid (71) tied for fifth at 12-under. In his pro debut, former world No. 1 amateur Gordon Sargent tied for 11th at 11-under, gaining pro experience. John Daly II, 22, tied for 37th at 7-under in his PGA Tour debut.
A former University of Florida standout with four All-SEC honors, 2020 SEC Freshman of the Year, and three-time All-American, this marked Castillo's second pro win after a 2023 Korn Ferry playoff victory at the Wichita Open post-Florida's national title. He reflected on perseverance: "You feel like you’re doing everything right and feel like you’re coming in 40th and you can do the same thing and end up winning like I did this week." On the emotional triumph: “It’s super special... my grandma’s looking down right now all happy... I felt like I wanted to be in Bay Hill and... ended up winning, so it all works out."
Puerto Rico has hosted 12 first-time PGA Tour winners since 2008, cementing its role in launching careers.
