Discover Puerto Rico and PGA Tour Extend Partnership
New agreement allows the Puerto Rico Open to be played through 2026
Posted On: March 6, 2024 By :The Puerto Rico Tourism Company and the PGA Tour have announced an extension of their partnership that will allow the Puerto Rico Open to be played through 2026 as the Tour arrives on the island for the 16th playing of the Puerto Rico Open this week.
“Through our longstanding partnership as the title sponsor, Puerto Rico Tourism Company is proud to continue supporting this global-attention-garnering tournament, a key platform to promote Puerto Rico as a world-class golf destination and a driving force of tourism and economic development,” said Carlos Mercado, executive director of the Puerto Rico Tourism Company. “Since 2008, the Puerto Rico Open has been the Island’s premier golf event. That speaks volumes to its immense impact and reach.”
This year’s tournament field is highlighted by four Puerto Ricans including by PGA Tour member and San Juan native Rafael Campos. The field will compete for a share of the event record $4 million prize money at Grand Reserve Golf Club in Rio Grande, which earlier this year hosted the Discover Puerto Rico Junior Championship in partnership between the American Junior Golf Association and Discover Puerto Rico.
“The Puerto Rico Open beautifully showcases what visitors can expect when playing golf here,” said Brad Dean, chief executive officer of Discover Puerto Rico. “Watching top-echelon players compete on one of our 18 courses during the tournament broadcasts with views framed by swaying coconut trees, crashing turquoise surf and towering rainforest ridgelines inspires golfers to visit Puerto Rico.”
The Puerto Rico Open comes on the heels of the island hosting the Latin America Amateur Championship last year, where the winner earned invitations to play in the 2023 Masters, U.S. Open and Open Championship. Prior to that, Puerto Rico and Grand Reserve hosted the first United States Golf Association championship to be played outside the mainland United States.
“We are pleased to continue our partnership with Puerto Rico Tourism Company, which has been a tremendous supporter of the PGA Tour and the Puerto Rico Open for the last 16 years,” said Tyler Dennis, chief competitions officer, PGA Tour. “The PGA Tour appreciates its continued commitment to this proud event, and we look forward to producing another memorable rendition this week in Rio Grande.”
Previous winners or runners-up at the tournament include Viktor Hovland, Jordan Spieth, Tony Finau and Jason Day. Colombia’s Nico Echavarria claimed his first Tour victory in his rookie year at the 2023 Puerto Rico Open and went on to be nominated for Rookie of the Year.