Chandler Blanchet leads at Puerto Rico Open as John Daly Jr stays in mix
Under a shifting sky at Grand Reserve Golf Club in Río Grande, a collection of young players and a famous surname threaded their way through fairways and wind: john daly jr was among them, playing a bogey-free second round that left him in the weekend mix as Chandler Blanchet built a four-shot cushion.
What is John Daly Jr’s position after Round 2?
John Daly Jr, the Arkansas alum making his PGA TOUR debut, finished the second round tied for seventh after playing bogey-free and sitting six shots off the lead. John Daly II said his place in the weekend field felt personal: “It’s awesome. This place has always been one of my favorites to come watch my dad play back in the day, so it’s pretty cool to make it to the weekend. ” John Daly II also described his approach to the weekend simply: “Honestly, go out there and try to go a low as I can. I got nothing to lose, so just go out there and have fun and just keep doing what I’m doing. ”
How did Chandler Blanchet build a four-shot lead?
Chandler Blanchet, a PGA TOUR player who had been waiting to make a cut earlier this season, shot a 5-under 67 in the second round, matching the tournament record for the largest lead through 36 holes. Blanchet made birdies on all the par 5s at Grand Reserve and watched the gap widen as others faltered. “The first part of the season, it’s been difficult, for sure, ” Chandler Blanchet said. “It’s no fun practicing on Saturday and Sunday and not playing and waiting five days. So will be very happy to play some golf on a Saturday and Sunday this weekend. ”
What does the weekend mean for the field and the younger contenders?
The leaderboard combined veterans and rising teenagers. Blades Brown, an 18-year-old who turned pro before graduating high school in January and who has already played in a final group with Scottie Scheffler, shot 67 to sit near the top and offered a measured outlook: “Yeah, we’re halfway there. A lot can happen in two days, so I’m excited for the weekend. ” Miles Russell, a 17-year-old committed to play at Florida State, also made the cut, posting a clutch birdie from a bunker on his final hole.
PGA TOUR officials note that the winner at Grand Reserve will receive spots in THE PLAYERS Championship and the PGA Championship the following week, an institutional prize that raises the stakes for anyone in contention. For players like Chandler Blanchet and the teenagers clustered behind him, the promise of those starts mixes opportunity with pressure.
The week has also been a stage for family legacy and individual rhythm. John Daly II’s weekend carryover is not just a line on a leaderboard; it is a continuation of afternoons he remembered as a child watching his father compete in Puerto Rico. He has already spoken candidly about balancing preparation with rest and even joked about heading to the beach after an earlier round to recover and reset.
As the final rounds approach, the course has become a proving ground where momentum and experience collide: Blanchet’s birdies on the long holes have defined his weekend, while john daly jr’s clean card has made him a quiet presence inside the top 10, one round away from turning a debut into a headline-making finish.
Back at the Grand Reserve practice area, where morning light slips across the greens, players will regroup and plan the next day. For spectators who remember John Daly’s own runs at major events, the sight of his son walking these fairways brings the tournament full circle — and leaves open the question of what might happen when the leaders tee off for the final round.
