Ricky Castillo Bio
Ricky Castillo (born August 28, 2001) is an American professional golfer who plays on the PGA Tour. A native of Yorba Linda, California, he turned professional in 2023 and quickly established himself as one of the most promising young players from the United States. Castillo is recognized for a well-rounded amateur résumé that included high-level college success and international team appearances before he made the move to the paid ranks. He currently resides in Jacksonville, Florida, the home of the PGA Tour’s headquarters.
Early Life and Background
Castillo was born on August 28, 2001, in Yorba Linda, California, a community in Orange County that has produced several notable golfers. He began playing golf as a young child and developed his game through local courses and junior programs in Southern California. Standing 6 ft 1 in (185 cm) and competing at 160 lb (73 kg), he built a frame suited to the power and consistency demanded by the modern professional game.
He attended Valencia High School in Placentia, California, where he sharpened his competitive skills in high school tournaments. Castillo’s amateur promise was evident early, and he eventually earned an exemption into the 2020 U.S. Open at Winged Foot, one of the most demanding setups in major championship golf, though he missed the cut. That opportunity signaled he was already on the radar of the United States Golf Association and the broader American golf community.
Path to Professional Golf
Castillo committed to the University of Florida in 2019, joining one of the most decorated college golf programs in the country. As a freshman in 2020, he was honored with the NCAA Division I Phil Mickelson Outstanding Freshman Award and the SEC Freshman of the Year award, signaling his status as one of the top first-year players in the nation. He also reached No. 1 on the World Amateur Golf Ranking for a stretch in late 2020, underscoring the quality of his amateur game.
During his amateur career, Castillo represented the United States in team events at the Walker Cup and the Arnold Palmer Cup, helping the U.S. team win the Walker Cup in 2021. In 2023, as a member of the Florida Gators, he played on the squad that captured the NCAA Golf Championship. That team title capped his amateur career and prepared him for the transition to the Korn Ferry Tour and PGA Tour.
Ricky Castillo Career
Early Career (2023)
Following his collegiate career, Castillo turned professional in 2023. He initially earned conditional status on the Korn Ferry Tour through PGA Tour University, a pathway designed to help elite college players move into the professional ranks. In his professional debut, he won the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas Wichita Open in June 2023, a strong start that confirmed his readiness for paid golf.
That debut victory on the Korn Ferry Tour gave him momentum heading into the next phase of his career. Castillo continued to build his résumé and soon earned a PGA Tour card for the 2024–25 season, a significant step in his young career. The move positioned him to compete against the best players in the world on a weekly basis.
PGA Tour Breakthrough (2024–2026)
Castillo’s early PGA Tour schedule included high-profile opportunities, including a spot in the 2025 Players Championship. He entered the field in March 2025 as a replacement for Victor Perez, who withdrew because of a back injury. The appearance at TPC Sawgrass was another marker of his rising status in the professional game.
In March 2026, Castillo won the Puerto Rico Open, capturing his first PGA Tour title. The victory was a career-defining moment and demonstrated his ability to finish under pressure on a competitive field. The win also pushed his Official World Golf Ranking to a then-career-best of 86, achieved on March 29, 2026, further confirming his place among the game’s rising stars.
Driving Style and Strengths
Castillo’s game is built on a balanced mix of accuracy and patience, traits that helped him navigate difficult setups such as Winged Foot during the 2020 U.S. Open. His experience representing the United States in team competition at the Walker Cup and Arnold Palmer Cup has shaped a steady, match-play temperament. The combination of his amateur pedigree and early professional results points to a player whose strengths travel well across varying course types.
Notable Events and Milestones
Key milestones in Castillo’s career include his debut win at the 2023 Wichita Open on the Korn Ferry Tour, his selection as a replacement in the 2025 Players Championship, and his first PGA Tour title at the 2026 Puerto Rico Open. He also reached No. 1 on the World Amateur Golf Ranking in late 2020 and was part of the Florida Gators team that won the 2023 NCAA Golf Championship.
Ricky Castillo Career Wins
Castillo has recorded two professional victories: one on the Korn Ferry Tour and one on the PGA Tour. His professional win total reflects a steady climb from his debut event in 2023 to his first PGA Tour title in 2026. The wins demonstrate that he can convert chances into titles on both development and main tours.
PGA Tour Highlights
On the PGA Tour, Castillo has recorded one win: the 2026 Puerto Rico Open. The victory represented his first title at the highest level of professional golf and remains his most recent top-level win. The result was also reflected in his career-best Official World Golf Ranking of 86 on March 29, 2026.
Korn Ferry Tour Highlights
On the Korn Ferry Tour, Castillo has recorded one win: the 2023 Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas Wichita Open. That debut victory was the foundation for earning his PGA Tour card and launched his professional career. He owns a perfect 1–0 record in Korn Ferry Tour playoffs.
Ricky Castillo Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Castillo’s family details beyond his parents’ support of his early golf development are not publicly confirmed in available sources. His path into golf began in Yorba Linda, California, where he first picked up the game as a young child. He later attended Valencia High School in nearby Placentia, where his competitive foundation was established.
Personal Life
Castillo is not publicly known to be married and does not have publicly confirmed children in available sources. He currently resides in Jacksonville, Florida, a common base for PGA Tour professionals. He stands 6 ft 1 in (185 cm) tall and competes at 160 lb (73 kg).
2025 Season Performance
During the 2025 PGA Tour season, Castillo continued his development on the main tour after earning his card for the 2024–25 season. A notable highlight came in March 2025, when he took the place of Victor Perez in the 2025 Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass after Perez withdrew with a back injury. The appearance at one of the Tour’s flagship events underlined his growing profile and his readiness for marquee stages.
Throughout the 2025 calendar, Castillo worked to consolidate his PGA Tour status and refine his approach against the strongest fields in golf. His experience in the 2025 Players Championship offered a valuable test of his game on a demanding stadium-style course. The lessons from the 2025 season helped set the stage for his first PGA Tour victory at the 2026 Puerto Rico Open.
