Max Kennedy hopes to give himself a chance to claim his maiden win and a $720,000 payday when he makes his PGA Tour debut in the $4 million Puerto Rico Open.

The Royal Dublin man (23) tees it up at Grand Reserve Golf Club in Rio Grande as a reward for winning last year's General Hackler Championship with the University of Louisville.

The Dublin rookie can make his mark on the big stage as he learns his trade and takes on a field featuring just seven of the world's top 100, led by 63rd-ranked Thriston Lawrence.

“I’m really looking forward to this week on the PGA Tour,” said Kennedy, who is playing on HotelPlanner Tour this year and plans to return after a break for the Middle East swing on Europe’s second-tier tour and the battle for 20 DP World Tour cards.

“I mean, what a week and what a venue to to be making my debut at. I feel comfortable on the course, which can get tricky with the wind. 

“But if there's no wind, then it can be very gettable. So I’m looking to get out there and making a ton of birdies and see where that puts me”

Kennedy missed his first three cuts of the season on the HotelPlanner Tour in South Africa before finishing 19th in the NTT Data Pro-Am at Fancourt.

“I learned a lot down in South Africa about my game and the standard that professional golf is at right now,” he said. 

“I’m just trying to get used to competing week to week at that standard which is definitely a step up from top level amateur golf, but it's something that I can definitely achieve

“Then after this, I'll be taking a couple of much-needed weeks before heading out to Dubai for what kicks off the start of what will be a very, busy season. 

“I’m looking forward to it, but obviously, first things first this week, and trying to go and get that win.”

On the DP World Tour, Jon Parry and Romain Languesque head the field at the €1 million Joburg Open at Houghton Golf Club.

In the women's game, Leona Maguire will have a chance to build on her solid start to 2025 in the $2.5 million Blue Bay LPGA at Jian Lake Blue Bay in China.

Following the cancellation of the Australian WPGA Championship in Queensland due to the threat of Cyclone Alfred, there is no golf this week for Lauren Walsh, Anna Foster and Annabel Wilson, who are scheduled to play next week's Australian Women's Classic in New South Wales.

In Florida, Sara Byrne plays the Epson Tour's Atlantic Beach Classic, looking to build on her tie for 28th in her debut in last week's Central Florida Championship as she aims to make the top 10 in the season-long rankings and one of 10 LGPA cards.

On the Sunshine Ladies Tour, Abigail O'Riordan was eight shots off the lead after opening with a 78 in the SuperSport Ladies Challenge at the Gary Player Country Club, where Olivia Mehaffey shot 79.