Ricky Castillo wins Puerto Rico Open as 18-year-old Blades Brown falls back with one bad hole

Castillo earned his first PGA Tour title, while Brown narrowly missed becoming the Tour's youngest winner in 95 years.

Published on Mar. 8, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Ricky Castillo shot a final-round 67 to win the Puerto Rico Open, his first PGA Tour title. Eighteen-year-old Blades Brown had a one-shot lead with six holes to play but made a triple bogey on the 13th hole, allowing Castillo to pull ahead. Brown finished third, his first top-10 finish on Tour. The win gets Castillo into the PGA Championship and next week's Players Championship.

Why it matters

Castillo's victory is a breakthrough moment for the young golfer, earning him a spot in two major championships. Meanwhile, Brown's near-miss highlights the challenges of being a teenage pro, as he was trying to become the youngest PGA Tour winner in 95 years.

The details

Castillo made back-to-back birdies right after Brown's triple bogey on the 13th hole, where Brown went from a bunker to the water. Castillo narrowly missed qualifying for the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill, but the Puerto Rico Open win gets him into the PGA Championship and The Players Championship. Brown, who turned pro last year and didn't graduate high school until January, was seeking his first PGA Tour win but ultimately finished third.

  • Castillo closed with a 5-under 67 to win the Puerto Rico Open on March 8, 2026.
  • Brown, at 18 years old, was trying to become the youngest PGA Tour winner in 95 years.

The players

Ricky Castillo

The 24-year-old golfer earned his first PGA Tour title at the Puerto Rico Open.

Blades Brown

The 18-year-old golfer was seeking to become the youngest PGA Tour winner in 95 years but ultimately finished third.

Chandler Blanchet

The 27-year-old golfer finished second at the Puerto Rico Open, one shot behind Castillo.

John Daly II

The 22-year-old son of two-time major champion John Daly finished outside the top 10 at the Puerto Rico Open.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“It's really cool to put into words to be able to win my first event. 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 (nbcsandiego.com)

“I learned that you've got to put four rounds together and it's not easy out here. But very happy, not mad at all. Just a great day, great week.”

— John Daly II (nbcsandiego.com)

What’s next

Castillo's win earns him a spot in the upcoming PGA Championship and The Players Championship next week.

The takeaway

Castillo's breakthrough victory at the Puerto Rico Open showcases the promise of young talent on the PGA Tour, while Brown's near-miss highlights the challenges of being a teenage pro trying to make a name for himself.