John Daly Jr., the 22-year-old son of two-time major champion John Daly, made his PGA Tour debut Thursday at the Puerto Rico Open and carded an opening-round 70. Playing in his first official PGA Tour event, Daly Jr. finished the day six shots behind Chandler Blanchet, who holds the early lead.
Daly Jr.’s round of 70 placed him under par in his first competitive appearance at this level, a notable milestone as he begins his effort to establish a professional identity separate from his father’s accomplished career. John Daly Sr. is best known for winning the 1991 PGA Championship and the 1995 Open Championship, achievements that made him one of the most recognizable figures in modern golf.
The younger Daly arrived in Puerto Rico with attention focused on how he would handle the step up to the PGA Tour environment. An opening 70 reflects a composed start, keeping him in the mix heading into the second round. While he trails Blanchet by six strokes, Daly Jr. remains within reach of the leaders at a tournament that has often produced low scoring and significant movement on the leaderboard as the week progresses.
Blanchet’s position at the top underscores the scoring opportunities available at the Puerto Rico Open, an event that typically offers an important platform for players seeking to solidify or elevate their PGA Tour status. With Daly Jr. safely under par after day one, he has put himself in position to build on his debut as he gains more experience at this level of competition.
As the tournament continues, Daly Jr. will look to tighten the gap to Blanchet and the rest of the leading pack, aiming to extend his stay through the weekend and turn his first start into a meaningful step in his professional development. His opening 70 provides a foundation to do so, while Blanchet’s lead sets the target for the remainder of the field in Puerto Rico.
