John Daly II's professional golf debut did not go the way he planned after a difficult opening round at the 2026 OccuNet Classic. But Day 2 painted a very different picture.

Daly II, the 22-year-old, has bounced back with a second-round 64 on Friday, June 13, at Tascosa Golf Club in Amarillo, Texas. He will make the cut in his first start as a professional golfer on the Korn Ferry Tour, per a post by Monday Q Info on X on June 12.

"Little John struggled yesterday, then came back today, fired a 64, and will make the cut on KFT," the post read.

Daly II struggled in the first round, where he carded 4-over par 74. He found his rhythm again in the second round and made the cut.

He will now play on the weekend in his professional debut on the Korn Ferry Tour. 

John Daly II shot a 6-under 64 in the second round. He recorded seven birdies and one bogey over 18 holes.

The round left him at 6-under par for the tournament, and he was listed in a tie for 32nd place on the leaderboard.

He got into the tournament through a sponsor exemption. Earlier this season, he used the same route to play in the 2026 Puerto Rico Open, where he made the cut.

The OccuNet Classic means more than just another tournament.

Amarillo last hosted a Korn Ferry Tour event in 1990, and that same year, his father, John Daly, finished second in that tournament. Now, John Daly II is playing in the same city and creating his own story. 

Daly II's professional career has only just begun, and he now has two more rounds to play this weekend.

What's on the Line at the OccuNet Classic for John Daly II

The OccuNet Classic carries a $1 million purse. The winner earns $180,000. Second place pays $90,000 and third $60,000, per the Korn Ferry Tour's standard prize money distribution.

Along with the prize money, the winner receives 500 Korn Ferry Tour points. These points are important because the top 20 players on the season-long points list earn PGA Tour cards for 2027.

The champion also earns about 15 Official World Golf Ranking points. 

This is the 14th event of the 2026 Korn Ferry Tour season.

For Daly II, making the cut in his first professional start puts him in a position to collect ranking and points that matter well beyond this week in Amarillo.

Do you think John Daly II can go on to win on the Korn Ferry Tour in his rookie season? Let us know in the comments.

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Written by

Sneha Abraham

Edited by

Surjo Ray