Ricky Castillo Claims First PGA TOUR Victory at Puerto Rico Open

18-year-old Blades Brown stumbles late with triple-bogey as Castillo earns first TOUR title

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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Ricky Castillo won his first PGA TOUR title at the Puerto Rico Open, carding a bogey-free final round 67 to finish at 17-under par. The 25-year-old from Jacksonville narrowly missed qualifying for the more lucrative Bay Hill event but made the most of his opportunity in Puerto Rico, crediting improved mental preparation and support from loved ones for the victory. Castillo's win came at the expense of 18-year-old Blades Brown, who held a one-shot lead with six holes remaining before a disastrous triple-bogey on the par-4 13th hole dashed his hopes of becoming the youngest PGA TOUR winner in 95 years.

Why it matters

Castillo's victory earns him TOUR status through 2028 and a spot in the PGA Championship, providing a significant boost to his career. The collapse of the young Blades Brown also serves as a learning experience, highlighting the mental and physical challenges of competing at the highest level of professional golf.

The details

Castillo played the final 52 holes without a bogey and made just two bogeys all week, the fewest of any player in the field. He ranked first in scrambling, getting up and down 19 times in 21 attempts. Castillo credited much of his success to improved mental preparation, working with a mental coach and leaning on the support of his fiancee and late grandmother's puka shell necklace that he wore throughout the week.

  • Castillo narrowly missed qualifying for the more lucrative Bay Hill event by just 11 FedExCup points.
  • Disaster struck for Blades Brown on the par-4 13th hole, where his triple-bogey 7 turned a potential coronation into a learning experience.

The players

Ricky Castillo

A 25-year-old golfer from Jacksonville, Florida who won his first PGA TOUR title at the Puerto Rico Open.

Blades Brown

An 18-year-old golfer who held a one-shot lead with six holes remaining before a disastrous triple-bogey on the 13th hole dashed his hopes of becoming the youngest PGA TOUR winner in 95 years.

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What they’re saying

“I felt like I wanted to be in Bay Hill and I decided to just come out here and play this and ended up winning, so it all works out in the end. Yeah, surreal week.”

— Ricky Castillo (athlonsports.com)

“It's not easy out here.”

— John Daly II, PGA TOUR player (athlonsports.com)

“I really, really just stayed focused and tried to control what I could control. I felt like I did a really good job of managing my emotions.”

— Ricky Castillo (athlonsports.com)

“Regardless whether I win or come in dead last, I've got a great team and a family around me that's going to care for me regardless.”

— Ricky Castillo (athlonsports.com)

“No matter where I am, she's always with me and a part of her's always watching over me.”

— Ricky Castillo (athlonsports.com)

What’s next

Castillo will head to TPC Sawgrass next week for THE PLAYERS Championship, a home game for the Jacksonville resident.

The takeaway

Castillo's victory at the Puerto Rico Open demonstrates the importance of mental preparation and resilience in professional golf. His ability to stay focused and manage his emotions in the face of adversity, combined with the support of his loved ones, allowed him to seize the opportunity and claim his first PGA TOUR title.