Monday qualifiers: Puerto Rico Open

Two former TOUR pros, a former Division II Player of the Year and a former assistant club pro comprise the four Monday qualifiers for this week’s Puerto Rico Open.

Ryan Blaum and Julian Etulain set the pace at Wellington National GC, each with 7-under 65, securing their tee times in Puerto Rico with no playoff needed.

John VanDerLaan and Tom Adrounie each carded 6-under 66 and advanced via a 4-for-2 playoff on Tuesday morning.

The odd men out were Jackson Suber and Danny Guise. Suber’s near-miss came in heartbreaking fashion; the recent Ole Miss alum stood 7 under through 16 holes as play was halted Monday due to darkness, then made birdie at No. 17 on Tuesday morning before a double bogey at No. 18 dropped him into the playoff.

In all, 106 players competed for four spots in this week’s field at Grand Reserve GC.

For all scores from the Puerto Rico Open qualifier, click here.

Here’s a capsule look at the four Monday qualifiers for the Puerto Rico Open.

Ryan Blaum (7-under 65)

Age: 39

Hometown: Miami, Florida

Alma mater: Duke University

PGA TOUR starts: 113

Cuts made: 61

Best PGA TOUR finish: T4, 2018 The RSM Classic

Notes: Played three consecutive full TOUR seasons from 2016-17 to 2018-19, finishing No. 107, No. 121 and No. 137 on FedExCup, respectively … Earned first TOUR card via 2016 Korn Ferry Tour Finals. Finished runner-up at last year’s Club Car Championship at The Landings Golf & Athletic Club, his career-best Korn Ferry Tour finish … Won twice on 2013 PGA TOUR Latinoamerica. Led season-long standings, which earned him full 2014 Korn Ferry Tour membership … Played basketball in high school; Duke basketball enthusiast.

Julian Etulain (7-under 65)

Age: 34

Hometown: Buenos Aires, Argentina

PGA TOUR starts: 49

Cuts made: 27

Best PGA TOUR finish: T5, 2017 Zurich Classic of New Orleans (team); T14, 2018 Fortinet Championship (individual)

Notes: Played full TOUR seasons in 2016-17 and 2018-19. Finished No. 161 and No. 176 on FedExCup, respectively … Has made 157 career Korn Ferry Tour starts, highlighted by a victory at 2018 Chitimacha Louisiana Open. Played Korn Ferry Tour full-time from 2020-22; holds conditional status this season … Won twice on 2014 PGA TOUR Latinoamerica. Led season-long standings, earning fully exempt Korn Ferry Tour status for 2015.

John VanDerLaan (6-under 66, advanced via playoff)

Age: 26

Hometown: Southbury, Connecticut

Alma mater: Florida Southern

PGA TOUR starts: 2

Cuts made: 2

Best PGA TOUR finish: T31, 2018 Barbasol Championship

Notes: In the midst of his fourth consecutive year (third season) on Korn Ferry Tour. Has recorded two top-25s in four starts to begin the 2023 campaign. Made 18 cuts in 24 starts last season, finishing No. 47 on season-long standings … Was named 2018 Jack Nicklaus Award winner as top player in men’s Division II collegiate golf … Also Monday qualified for TOUR’s Butterfield Bermuda Championship this past fall, proceeding to finish T35.

Tom Adrounie (6-under 66, advanced via playoff)

Age: 33

Hometown: Fairfax, Virginia

PGA TOUR starts: 0

Notes: Made seven birdies against a bogey in qualifying round, then advanced with a birdie on the third playoff hole … This will mark his first start on either the PGA TOUR or Korn Ferry Tour … Has spent time as assistant pro at Orange Tree GC in Orlando, just down the street from Universal Studios … Won North Florida PGA’s Assistant Professional Championship in 2021. Finished second in 2021 North Florida PGA Player of the Year race.