RIO GRANDE, Puerto Rico — Chandler Blanchet surged to the top of the leaderboard at the Puerto Rico Open on Friday, carding a 5-under 67 to establish a four-shot lead. The performance not only secured his first cut of the year on the PGA TOUR but also matched the tournament record for the largest 36-hole lead. A pair of talented teenagers and the son of golf legend John Daly remain in contention as the tournament heads into the weekend.
Blanchet’s impressive round included birdies on all five par-5 holes at Grand Reserve Golf Club. He currently sits at 13-under 131, a commanding position as he seeks his first PGA TOUR victory. The early part of the season has presented challenges for many golfers, and making the weekend is a significant step for Blanchet, who expressed relief at the opportunity to continue competing. “It’s no fun practicing on Saturday and Sunday and not playing and waiting five days,” Blanchet said, according to reporting from the Associated Press. “So will be very happy to play some golf on a Saturday and Sunday this weekend.”
Chasing Blanchet is a group of promising players, including 18-year-old Blades Brown, who turned professional before graduating high school in January. Brown fired a 67 and is tied for third place, hoping to leverage his experience playing in the final group with Scottie Scheffler at The American Express earlier this year. He’s currently at 8-under 136, alongside Ricky Castillo (68), Jesper Svensson of Sweden (69), and Jeremy Paul of Germany (67). “Yeah, we’re halfway there,” Brown stated. “A lot can happen in two days, so I’m excited for the weekend.”
Adding to the compelling narrative is John Daly II, son of two-time major champion John Daly. He played a bogey-free round and is six shots off the lead in a tie for seventh, marking his PGA TOUR debut. Daly II expressed his fondness for the Puerto Rico Open, recalling fond memories of watching his father compete at the same venue. “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 produce it to the weekend,” he said.
Another teenager, 17-year-old Miles Russell, who has committed to play at Florida State, also made the cut in his fifth PGA TOUR start. He secured his place in the weekend rounds with a birdie from the bunker on the par-5 ninth hole. The winner of the Puerto Rico Open will earn a coveted spot in both THE PLAYERS Championship and the PGA Championship. However, a victory will not come with an invitation to the Masters Tournament, as the Puerto Rico Open is held during the same week as the Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by Mastercard.
The tournament carries echoes of a memorable victory achieved by John Daly in 1991, when he entered the PGA Championship as a ninth alternate and ultimately triumphed at Crooked Stick. Could a similar surprise be in store this weekend with his son in contention? Daly II remains focused on his own game, stating, “Honestly, go out there and endeavor to go a low as I can. I got nothing to lose, so just go out there and have fun and just keep doing what I’m doing.”
As the Puerto Rico Open progresses, all eyes will be on Blanchet as he attempts to maintain his lead and secure his first PGA TOUR title. The presence of young talents like Brown and Russell, along with the compelling storyline of John Daly II, promises an exciting finish to the tournament.
The final two rounds are set to deliver a thrilling conclusion to the Puerto Rico Open. Golf fans can anticipate a competitive battle as players vie for the championship and the valuable rewards that come with it. Stay tuned for further updates as the tournament unfolds.
