The 2026 Puerto Rico Open at Grand Reserve Golf Club will include a 120-player field with several teenage prospects making their marks. Notable newcomers include John Daly II in his PGA Tour debut, alongside talents like Blades Brown and Miles Russell. Defending champion Karl Vilips headlines the event, which runs opposite the Arnold Palmer Invitational.
The PGA Tour's 2026 season continues with the Puerto Rico Open, set for next week at Grand Reserve Golf Club in Rio Grande, Puerto Rico. The field, determined through a standardized system of priority rankings, exemptions, and sponsor invitations, comprises 120 players, blending established professionals with emerging stars.
Several young golfers highlight the lineup. Blades Brown, 18, a Korn Ferry Tour member; Miles Russell, 17, a future Florida State teammate of Charlie Woods; China's Yanhan Zhou, 17, on the DP World Tour; and local Evan Pena, 17, who debuted in the event at age 15 two years ago, all receive spots. Carson Bertagnole, 19, a UNC freshman and Pinecrest graduate, earned his exemption as runner-up at the White Sands Men's Bahamas Invitational in December. John Daly II also makes his PGA Tour debut.
Tournament director Matt Truax emphasized the event's role in nurturing talent: “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.”
Veterans and recent standouts round out the field. Defending champion Karl Vilips returns, joined by Tony Finau, Matt Kuchar, Camilo Villegas—a past champion—Rasmus Hojgaard, Brandt Snedeker, Luke Clanton from PGA Tour University, Nick Dunlap, and Neal Shipley. Sponsor exemptions include Eugenio Chacarra, returning to the Tour, and others like Kihei Akina and Filip Jakubcik.
The field also features players from various categories, such as top prior-season FedExCup earners like Matti Schmid and Emiliano Grillo, Korn Ferry Tour points leaders like Chandler Blanchet, and Q-School graduates like A.J. Ewart. Past champions Ryan Brehm and Camilo Villegas add experience beyond the top 150 in FedExCup Fall points.
