John Daly II Shines in Tour Debut at Puerto Rico Open… Then Shares Unique Post-Round Routine

Although the world’s top golfers, including Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy, compete for a $4 million prize at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, another compelling storyline unfolded this week at the 2026 Puerto Rico Open. The tournament marked the highly anticipated PGA Tour debut of John Daly II, the 22-year-old son of golf legend John Daly.

Daly II made a strong first impression, carding a two-under 70 in Thursday’s opening round at Grand Reserve Golf Club. The University of Arkansas senior, still an amateur, demonstrated poise and skill beyond his years, signaling a promising start to his professional career. His performance quickly drew attention, not just as the son of a two-time major champion, but as a talented golfer in his own right.

The young Daly’s journey to this point has been marked by both familial legacy and individual achievement. He regularly partners with his father at the PNC Championship, even securing a victory in 2021, finishing ahead of Tiger and Charlie Woods. Prior to his Puerto Rico Open debut, Daly II showcased his potential on the amateur circuit, reaching the quarterfinals of the 2025 U.S. Amateur at the Olympic Club, and is currently ranked 54th among amateurs.

A Solid Start and a Familiar Approach

Daly sounded like a seasoned veteran when discussing his play in a post-round interview. “It was good. Got off to a good start, made a nice birdie on 1. Solid up-and-down on 2, made about a 20-footer for par, which is nice, settled me in,” Daly said. “And then just hit some good shots. Perceive like I left a few out there, but I made it up with just a couple good saves and nice chip-in on 16.”

He even echoed his famous father when talking about his playing partner, Neal Shipley. “It was fun. I love Neal, it was awesome. First time meeting him yesterday. He’s a good dude and I enjoyed playing with him a lot,” Daly said.

Trading the Practice Range for the Beach

Perhaps most notably, Daly II revealed a refreshingly unconventional approach to post-round recovery. When asked what he planned to do to maintain his momentum, Daly II admitted he was going to accept advantage of Puerto Rico’s beaches. “I would say I’d go hit balls, but I’m a little tired, so I’m just probably going to go to the beach and probably do absolutely nothing for the rest of the day,” Daly II shared with a laugh.

John Daly showed conviction when choosing between Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler’s impressive seasons last year. McIlroy completed his career Grand Slam at the Masters and helped secure victory for Team Europe at the Ryder Cup, while Scottie Scheffler claimed two majors in 2025. Daly stated, “I’d have to go with Scottie. I signify, Scottie’s won a few more, and then he won two majors this year. You have to go with Scottie.” Scheffler won the PGA Championship and the Open Championship in 2025.