RIO GRANDE, P. R. – Vanderbilt men’s golf junior Jackson Van Paris had a memorable PGA Tour debut, as he finished in a tie for 10th at the 2024 Puerto Rico Open.
Van Paris went 8-under 64 in Sunday’s final round to give him a total of 15-under 273. He was the leader in the clubhouse, as he was tied for fifth overall walking off the course just as the leaders were teeing off. When play concluded, Van Paris came away with a top-10 finish in his PGA Tour debut, as he tied for 10th overall with four other golfers.
The junior saved his best for last at the Puerto Rico Open, as his 8-under 64 in Round 4 was lowest score posted on Sunday. Van Paris recorded six birdies and an eagle with no bogeys in the finale. He carded 31 through the front nine and birdied Holes No. 15, 17, and 18 to finish his Tour debut strong. In total, Van Paris moved up 40 spots on the player leaderboard on Sunday to collect a top-10 finish.
The junior posted round scores of 70-70-69-64 at the Puerto Rico Open. Van Paris was on pace to make the cut in Friday’s Round 2, but play was suspended due to darkness with him sitting right on the cut line at 4-under. He came back out on Saturday morning to par his final three holes of the round to make the cut, then would later go on to finish Round 3 at 3-under 69.
Van Paris earned a sponsor exemption into the Puerto Rico Open by finishing third in the Elite Amateur Series this past summer. The junior is enjoying a successful third-year with the Commodores, as he won the individual title at 2023 St Andrews Links Collegiate and has posted three top-10 finishes for Vandy during the 2023-24 campaign.
The Vanderbilt men’s golf team will be back in action March 18-19, as the Commodores travel to the Golden State to play in the Pauma Valley Invitational. Check back with VUCommodores.com for a full tournament preview.
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