Blanchet Leads Puerto Rico Open as Daly Son Debuts

Blanchet Takes Early Lead at Puerto Rico Open

Chandler Blanchet seized the early lead in the Puerto Rico Open after a dominant opening round at Grand Reserve Golf Club in Rio Grande, Puerto Rico. Despite a bogey on his very first hole, Blanchet responded emphatically with nine birdies en route to an 8-under 64 — the lowest round of his PGA Tour career to date — and held a one-shot lead over Gordon Sargent at the close of day one.

Blanchet earned his PGA Tour card by winning twice on the Korn Ferry Tour in 2025, including capturing the Korn Ferry Tour Championship. Despite those successes, his transition to the PGA Tour had been turbulent entering the Puerto Rico Open, as he had missed the cut in all five tournaments he played during the early portion of the season. The Puerto Rico Open opened a new chapter, giving Blanchet a chance to reset and prove himself at the sport's highest level.

The Puerto Rico Open carries significant incentives for the winner. The champion earns entry into both The Players Championship and the PGA Championship, along with a two-year PGA Tour exemption — though the tournament falls outside the Masters qualification window.

John Daly II Makes Impressive PGA Tour Debut

John Daly II, the 22-year-old son of two-time major champion John Daly, made his professional PGA Tour debut at the Puerto Rico Open, firing a solid 2-under 70 in the opening round. The younger Daly's debut contrasted dramatically with his father's first PGA Tour-sanctioned start in 1986 at Shinnecock Hills during the US Open, where the elder Daly shot 88. John Daly II chipped in on the 16th hole to salvage key strokes, reflecting the composure and skill that attracted significant gallery interest.

Young Prospects Turn Heads

Eighteen-year-old Blades Brown — who recently shared the final group with world number one Scottie Scheffler at The American Express — opened with a 69, adding to an extraordinary early professional record of 16 rounds in the 60s in just 34 professional starts. Miles Russell, 17, carded a 71, while Zhou Yanhan of China, also 17 and a seven-time China Tour winner in 2025, shot 72. Their presence underlined the growing depth of young global talent in professional golf.

Blanchet later reflected on his mental resilience after missing a five-foot putt on the opening hole. "I missed a 5-footer on the first hole, and I looked at my caddie, who said, 'This is our test.' I handled it well," he said. "Then made some excellent birdies on the next few holes. Yeah, that was a really solid day." Meanwhile, LIV Golf alumnus Eugenio Chacarra, the first LIV player to receive a PGA Tour sponsor exemption, opened with a 73.