Chandler Blanchet shot a 5-under 67 to take a four-shot lead at the Puerto Rico Open after two rounds. The 30-year-old golfer, who had missed the cut in all five prior starts this season, sits at 13-under par at Grand Reserve Golf Club. Several young players, including John Daly II and Blades Brown, remain in contention heading into the weekend.
RIO GRANDE, Puerto Rico — Chandler Blanchet carded a 5-under 67 in the second round of the 2026 Puerto Rico Open, securing a four-shot lead at 13-under 131 after 36 holes. The 30-year-old, a former Korn Ferry Tour standout from the University of West Florida, birdied all four par-5 holes and matched the tournament record for the largest 36-hole lead. This marks his first made cut of the season on the PGA Tour, where he had gone 0-for-8 in prior starts.
"The first part of the season, it’s been difficult, for sure," Blanchet said. "It’s no fun practicing on Saturday and Sunday and not playing and waiting five days. So will be very happy to play some golf on a Saturday and Sunday this weekend."
Gordon Sargent sits alone in second at 9-under after a second-round 70. Tied for third at 8-under 136 are 18-year-old amateur Blades Brown (67), Ricky Castillo (68), Jesper Svensson of Sweden (69), and Jeremy Paul of Germany (67). Brown, who turned pro before high school graduation, is aiming to become the youngest PGA Tour winner in 95 years.
"Yeah, we're halfway there," Brown said. "A lot can happen in two days, so I’m excited for the weekend."
John Daly II, making his PGA Tour debut, fired a bogey-free 67 to reach 7-under and tie for seventh, six shots back. The son of two-time major winner John Daly called the event special, having watched his father compete there in the past.
"It’s awesome. This place has always been one of my favorites to come watch my dad play back in the day, so it’s pretty cool to make it to the weekend," Daly II said.
Other notables include 17-year-old amateur Miles Russell, who made his first cut at 2-under with a birdie on the ninth, and Kihei Akina at 6-under in a tie for 12th. Davis Chatfield, a former Rhode Island Amateur champion, is tied for 19th at 5-under. The winner earns spots in The Players Championship and the PGA Championship but not the Masters, as the event runs opposite the Arnold Palmer Invitational.
