2026 Puerto Rico Open Preview & Tournament Prediction
Updated March 4, 2026
Updated March 4, 2026
The 2026 PGA Tour shifts to the Caribbean this week as the 2026 Puerto Rico Open tees off from March 5 through March 8 at the Grand Reserve Golf Club in Rio Grande, Puerto Rico. This event is an opposite-field tournament alongside the high-profile Signature Arnold Palmer Invitational, and thus offers a valuable opportunity for players outside the highest tier to claim a title this season. With a $4,000,000 purse and 300 FedEx Cup points up for grabs, the Puerto Rico Open has produced breakthrough winners in recent years and continues to attract an intriguing mix of rising stars, experienced Tour pros, and big-hitting longshots who can thrive on the wide-open, coastal layout designed by Tom Kite.
Pick: Rasmus Hojgaard
Confidence: 4 out of 5
The Puerto Rico Open is one of the standout alternate events on the PGA Tour calendar, giving players a pathway to not only a major payday but also a two-year exemption on Tour and an invitation to the next PLAYERS Championship. Defending champion Karl Vilips, who set a tournament record with a -26 last year, chose not to return to defend his title, leaving the field wide open for a new winner.
This tournament historically has been a launching pad for talented players who may not yet be established stars, with past winners including Nico Echavarria, Brice Garnett, and Branden Grace, among others. The unique combination of coastal conditions, receptive paspalum surfaces, and potential wind influences often leads to low scoring and strategic opportunities for aggressive players who can manage the breeze and avoid the water hazards that come into play on many holes.
The field is led in the betting markets by Rasmus Hojgaard, followed by Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen and Davis Thompson, while several experienced and skilled campaigners like Christiaan Bezuidenhout and Michael Brennan fill out the favorites list. Additional intrigue comes from sponsor exemptions given to players such as John Daly II, making his PGA Tour debut, and youthful talents like Miles Russell and Blades Brown, who bring interest for bettors looking for longshot value.
The Grand Reserve Golf Club (Championship Course) is a Tom Kite design that stretches to 7,506 yards with a par of 72. It features 4 par 3s, 10 par 4s, and 4 par 5s. Being a coastal layout, the wind off the Atlantic can alter the way the golf course plays from round to round.
Fairways and greens are seeded with paspalum grass, which is relatively soft and receptive, allowing approach shots to hold. Water hazards come into play on over a dozen holes, demanding accuracy and course management. The large greens, averaging around 6,500 square feet, reward players with solid short-game skills, especially in windy conditions.
Grand Reserve is known as a birdie-friendly venue when conditions are calm, but gusty winds can penalize wayward shots and change strategy. Low winning scores are the norm at this event, with last year’s -26 by Vilips being the tournament record.
After assessing recent form, course history, and the current odds landscape, Rasmus Hojgaard stands out as the most compelling choice to capture the title for me. Hojgaard has been near the top of alternate field betting markets and his recent performances, including a strong showing at the Cognizant Classic, suggest he is ready for a breakthrough.
His ball-striking ability and capacity to post low numbers at resort-style courses like Grand Reserve align with conditions typically seen at the Puerto Rico Open. Moreover, Hojgaard’s consistency and ability to manage tricky coastal winds give him a clear edge over many in this field. While players such as Neergaard-Petersen and Davis Thompson also present strong cases, Hojgaard’s blend of form and course fit makes him my selection at right around 10/1 odds.
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