John Daly II, son of the American golf maverick John Daly, will make his PGA Tour debut this week.
Daly II will compete in the Puerto Rico Open, a four-day tournament starting March 5 at Grand Reserve Golf Club in Rio Grande, Puerto Rico. The event is considered a secondary-tier tournament, primarily featuring players who did not qualify for the Arnold Palmer Invitational, a signature event running concurrently. The Puerto Rico Open offers $4 million in total prize money—one-fifth of the Arnold Palmer Invitational's $20 million purse.
Born in 2003, Daly II received a sponsor's exemption for this tournament. While he has competed in Korn Ferry Tour events in 2024, this marks his first appearance on the PGA Tour. He currently attends the University of Arkansas, his father's alma mater, and has recorded three victories in collegiate golf. The elder Daly dominated an era with his prodigious driving distance, winning five PGA Tour titles including two majors. Known as a "maverick" and "bad boy" of golf, he has undergone treatment for gambling and alcohol addiction.
Daly II first drew public attention at the 2021 PNC Championship, a family team event. The father-son duo won the tournament, with Tiger Woods and his son Charlie Woods finishing as runners-up. Daly II has since gained recognition and reportedly secured sponsorships from various equipment and apparel brands.
Beyond Daly II, the tournament features several teenage prospects to watch. Among them are 18-year-old Blaze Brown, 17-year-old Miles Russell, and 17-year-old Evan Pena of Puerto Rico. Brown is a rising star who broke Bobby Jones's 103-year-old record as the youngest U.S. Amateur Championship winner in 2023. He currently competes on the Korn Ferry Tour. Russell is a teammate of Charlie Woods on the University of Florida golf team, while Pena competed in this event two years ago at age 15. Tournament Director Matt Tourax said, "We're pleased to once again provide opportunities for many promising young players this year."
Among Korean players, Kim Sung-hyun and Noh Seung-yul are on the entry list. Noh finished runner-up at last week's Korn Ferry Tour 119 Visa Argentina Open. Lee Seung-taek will not compete due to an ankle injury.