While golf’s biggest stars battle it out at the Arnold Palmer Invitational in Florida this week, there’s another exciting PGA Tour event flying under the radar – the Puerto Rico Open.
The tournament at Grand Reserve Golf Club offers a total purse of $4 million, with $720,000 going to the winner. That winning check, interestingly, is just one-fifth of what the champion will take home at Bay Hill.
But don’t think this is just another small-time event. The winner gets some pretty sweet perks, including a two-year PGA Tour card and valuable FedEx Cup points. The only major perk they miss out on? No automatic invite to The Masters.
This year’s field includes some serious talent. South Africa’s Thriston Lawrence, ranked 59th in the world, leads the pack as the highest-ranked player competing.
Five other top-100 players are teeing it up:
- Matt Wallace
- Sam Stevens
- Andrew Novak
- Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen
- Niklas Norgaard
Defending champion Brice Garnett is back looking for his third PGA Tour win. He’s coming in hot after finishing T11 at last week’s Cognizant Classic.
Some other names to watch include five-time DP World Tour winner Matteo Manassero and recent Myrtle Beach Classic champ Chris Gotterup.
Prize Money Breakdown
The winner takes home $720,000, while second place earns $436,000. Here’s how the top 10 payouts break down:
- 1st: $720,000
- 2nd: $436,000
- 3rd: $276,000
- 4th: $196,000
- 5th: $164,000
- 6th: $145,000
- 7th: $135,000
- 8th: $125,000
- 9th: $117,000
- 10th: $109,000
Even players finishing near the bottom of the pack will earn a decent check – 65th place still takes home $8,600.
While it might not have the massive purse or star power of the Arnold Palmer Invitational, the Puerto Rico Open offers an exciting opportunity for up-and-coming players and veterans alike to make their mark on the PGA Tour.
