Ricky Castillo just secured his first PGA TOUR victory at the Puerto Rico Open. The win earned him a spot in a major championship. But his focus has already shifted to what comes next.

Castillo is also now eligible to compete in the PGA Championship, but remarked, “This still does not get me into the Masters and stuff like that, so I still have things to look forward to”.

His hunger for success was evident immediately following the challenging victory.

The 24-year-old secured the victory at Grand Reserve by playing his final two rounds without a single bogey.

The moderator stated that while the golfer prepared for THE PLAYERS, this win in particular earned him entry into a major, with the Masters still his most coveted objective.

Even with the victory, Castillo affirmed his commitment to his goals, noting he will always have new challenges to pursue.

Building on the Lessons of Wichita and the RSM Classic

Castillo said he was “10 times more nervous” about his Korn Ferry Tour win in Wichita in 2023 than about this week’s final round with all the money on the line.

The other big difference for Castillo has been his “mental” game, as he described it, saying his fiancée has been an influence and his mental coach, Dr. Gio, has helped him become more patient.

Castillo's mental strength was built over time, forged during the tough 2025 offseason after losing the RSM Classic on the final hole.

Castillo did not let that frustration fester. Instead, he started this season with a trophy by making birdies on the 13th and 14th holes and finishing 17-under par, beating Chandler Blanchet by one stroke at Grand Reserve.

The champion will now return to Jacksonville to play at TPC Sawgrass for THE PLAYERS Championship and will look to keep the positive momentum going at one of his favorite courses next week.

Read more at Daily Club Golf!

Written by

Abhishek Sharma

Edited by

Siddharth Shirwadkar