Puerto Rico Open: Your Ultimate Guide to the 2026 Tournament
The PGA TOUR heads to Rio Grande, Puerto Rico, for the 18th playing of the Puerto Rico Open, offering a valuable opportunity for players to earn crucial early-season FedExCup points. This year’s tournament promises a compelling mix of proven winners, rising stars, and international talent. Here’s everything you need to know as the TOUR returns to Grand Reserve Golf Club for this exciting event.
Field Notes: Key Players to Watch
Michael Brennan, currently ranked inside the top 50 of the Official World Golf Rankings, leads the field as the highest-ranked golfer. Brennan secured his first TOUR victory at the Bank of Utah Championship and has shown consistent performance this season.
Two-time TOUR winner Nick Dunlap will make his debut at Grand Reserve Golf Club, returning to action after a missed cut at the Cognizant Classic. European Ryder Cup star Rasmus Højgaard is also set to compete in Puerto Rico for the second time, following his brother Nicolai’s strong finish that earned him a spot in the Arnold Palmer Invitational.
The tournament also features a strong contingent of PGA TOUR University alums, including Luke Clanton, Gordon Sargent, and David Ford, as they continue their professional journeys.
Sponsor Exemptions: Rising Stars and Local Favorites
Eugenio Chacarra, a former Oklahoma State standout, returns to the PGA TOUR with a sponsor exemption. Also receiving exemptions are Blades Brown, looking to rebound from a recent missed cut, and John Daly II, son of major champion John Daly, who will be making his PGA TOUR debut.
AJGA standout Miles Russell, the youngest player to ever make a cut on the Korn Ferry Tour, will also be competing. Additional sponsor exemptions have been awarded to college golf stars Kihei Akina, Carson Bertagnole, and Filip Jakubcik. The field also proudly includes Puerto Rican players Chris Nido, Reinaldo Simoni, and Evan Pena, adding a local flavor to the competition. Fred Biondi, Chase Sienkiewicz, Kieron van Wyk and Yanhan Zhou round out the sponsor exemptions.
Tournament Storylines & FedExCup Implications
The Puerto Rico Open is played opposite the Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by Mastercard. The next Signature Event on the PGA TOUR schedule is the RBC Heritage in April (April 13-19). The Aon Next 10 for the RBC Heritage is comprised of the top 10 players on the current-year FedExCup standings, not otherwise exempt, through the Masters Tournament (Monday, April 13). The Aon Swing 5 standings for the RBC Heritage is comprised of the top five players on the FedExCup, not otherwise exempt, across the Puerto Rico Open, Valspar Championship, Texas Children’s Houston Open and Valero Texas Open.
The winner of the Puerto Rico Open will receive 300 FedExCup points, adding significant value to their season-long standings.
Course Details: Grand Reserve Golf Club
The tournament will be held at Grand Reserve Golf Club (Championship Course), a par 72, 7,506-yard layout designed by Tom Kite. The course stretches along the beachfront peninsula and presents a challenging test for players. The nines were swapped for 2025 and will remain so in 2026, featuring a front nine with two par 5s measuring 600 yards or longer.
Past Champions & Records
- 72-Hole Record: 262, Karl Vilips (2025)
- 18-Hole Record: 62, Kevin Roy (Round 1, 2025), Jhonattan Vegas (Round 4, 2020)
Karl Vilips of Australia claimed victory in the 2025 tournament, securing his first PGA TOUR win in a thrilling finish. He overcame a late challenge from Denmark’s Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen, ultimately winning by three strokes with a final-round 8-under 64.
Stay tuned for all the latest updates and highlights from the 2026 Puerto Rico Open!
Official PGA TOUR Website – For complete coverage and live scoring.
