John Daly II, the son of two-time major champion John Daly, is three shots off the lead in the PGA Tour’s Puerto Rico Open after a third-round 70 on Saturday at the Grand Reserve Golf Club.
The 22-year-old University of Arkansas senior is playing in the tournament as an amateur through a sponsor invitation. Daly made one birdie, one eagle and a closing bogey in the third round and is among a tie for eighth place at 9-under. But he’s within clear sight of leader Ricky Castillo, who shot a 68 for the third day in a row and sits at 12 under.
Amateur John Daly II of the United States lines up a putt on the 16th green during the third round of the Puerto Rico Open 2026 at Grand Reserve Golf Club on March 07, 2026 in Rio Grande, Puerto Rico.
Daly is playing in his second professional tournament. He missed the cut in a Korn Ferry Tour event in 2024.
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He won the PNC Championship with his father in 2022 and last year won the Southern Amateur, reached the quarterfinals of the U.S. Amateur, led the Razorbacks in scoring average and won his first college tournament.
Can John Daly II compete in The Players Championship?
Yes, there is an avenue for him to tee it up at the Players Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass next week. If Daly wins the Puerto Rico Open he is eligible for The Players as a PGA Tour winner.
However, if he wants to play, his college and amateur career would be over: A PGA Tour communications official told the Florida Times-Union that Daly would have to turn professional, since The Players does not allow amateurs.
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Can John Daly II play in the Masters if he wins?
The Masters invites PGA Tour winners of full-point FedEx Cup events. Since the Puerto Rico Open is opposite the Arnold Palmer Invitation and gets fewer FedEx Cup points, John Daly II would not get an invitation to Augusta.
Can John Daly II accept prize money in Puerto Rico?
No. He would have had to turn professional before the tournament began. The winner in Puerto Rico will earn $720,000.
What is John Daly’s record in The Players Championship?
The elder John Daly entered The Players 15 times. He made seven cuts, missed six and withdrew twice. His best finish was a tie for 16th in 1998. His last Players start was in 2006 when he tied for 45th.
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How is Miles Russell playing in the Puerto Rico Open?
The Jacksonville Beach resident, 17, made his first PGA Tour cut in five starts with a 71-71 opening, and then shot another 71 in the third round. He’s tied for 45th at 3-under 213.
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: John Daly II in contention at PGA Tour’s Puerto Rico Open
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