Ricky Castillo carded a bogey-free 4-under 68 to hold a one-stroke lead at 12-under after the third round of the Puerto Rico Open.

“It was a really solid round. I mean, it was really whipping out there and blowing and it could really get tricky at times. Me and Jesper [Svensson] were talking about it after the round about how tricky it was getting comfortable over putts. When it’s blowing that much, it’s really hard to trust yourself and trust the line, especially when it’s gusting. But I felt like I did a really good job of managing my game, managing my emotions today really well, so it was good,” said Castillo.

“This is the position that all of us have dreamed of and want to be in a chance to win a golf tournament. I’ve been fortunate to have that opportunity a few times and haven’t gotten it done, so hopefully we’ll do it tomorrow. In the end, we’re just trying to play the best we can and just stick to my process and focus on what I can control.”

Chip-in to take the lead!

After narrowly missing a spot @APInv via the #AonSwing5, Ricky Castillo has taken the lead @PuertoRicoOpen.

📺 Golf Channel pic.twitter.com/kTv80ykBk0

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) March 7, 2026

He holds his first 54-hole lead/co-lead on the PGA Tour (previous best 54-hole position: T2/2025 The CJ Cup Byron Nelson/finished T5).

Castillo is playing in his fifth event this season, highlighted by a solo-fifth finish at the Cognizant Classic in The Palm Beaches (T31/Sony Open in Hawaii, T44/The American Express, T43/Farmers Insurance Open).

The American’s best finish on Tour so far in 35 career starts was third at the 2025 The RSM Classic.

Two-time DP World Tour winner and PGA Tour rookie John Parry of England made one bogey and signed for a 4-under 68 for a share of second place at 11-under.

Germany’s Matti Schmid carded a bogey-free 68 to join the tie for second place. He seeks a first victory in his 99th career start.

18- and 36-hole leader Chandler Blanchet made three birdies and five bogeys and posted a 2-over 74 in the third round to move down into T2 alongside 18 year-old fellow American Blades Brown who posted a 69 to match his career-best 54-hole position (T2/2026 The American Express/finished T18) in his 12th career start.

Blades Brown is back in the mix on TOUR

He sits one back of the lead @PuertoRicoOpen.

📺 Golf Channel pic.twitter.com/0kpbHZbHJK

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) March 7, 2026

Making his PGA Tour debut as a sponsor exemption, John Daly II (USA) is T8 at 9-under having made an eagle at the par-5 11, one birdie and one bogey for a 70. He hold the best 54-hole position of the three amateurs who made the cut at the Puerto Rico Open and seeks to become the first player to win in their first start on Tour since Jim Benepe (1988 BMW Championship) and first amateur to win in their first made cut since Nick Dunlap (2024 The American Express).

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Sotogrande strengthens its reputation as Spain’s premier golf destination with three courses featured in the 2026 Top100GolfCourses Spain ranking, led by Real Club Valderrama at No. 1.