The OccuNet Classic, presented by Amarillo National Bank, announced Tuesday, June 2 that John Daly II, will compete in the tournament under a sponsor exemption.
“I’m very excited and grateful to be competing in the OccuNet Classic. This will mark my first start as a professional golfer, and is something I’ve worked toward for a long time. I’m thankful for everyone who has supported me along the way and can’t wait to get out there and compete,” said John Daly II.
The tournament, set for June 11–14 will mark the OccuNet Classic’s inaugural year on the Korn Ferry Tour. It will also mark Amarillo’s first Korn Ferry Tournament since 1990, and will take place at Tascosa Golf Club.
John Daly II, better known as “Little John,” graduated this spring from University of Arkansas and has amassed an impressive resume during his amateur golf career. His wins include the 2021 PNC Championship, 2025 Southern Amateur Championship, and 2025 Blessings Collegiate Invitational. He was also a finalist for the 2025 Ben Hogan Award.
Daly made his PGA TOUR debut as an amateur at the 2026 Puerto Rico Open, which was also under a sponsor exemption.
“We’re extremely excited to have John Daly II start his professional career in Amarillo! John has had an incredible college career at Arkansas. I can’t imagine a better way for him to start the next phase of his career in the same city as his father, John Daly, who finished runner-up in the Korn Ferry Tour event in 1990,” said Drew Blass, Tournament Director.
Additionally, Randall graduate and University of New Mexico golfer Wyatt Provence qualified for the OccuNet Classic tournament after winning his third straight Michelob Ultra Men’s City Championship.
New Panhandle Sports Hall of Fame inductee Ryan Palmer, an Amarillo native and four-time PGA TOUR winner — with nearly $34 million in career earnings who is also a seven-time qualifier for The Masters — announced his plans to compete this summer in the OccuNet Classic as well.
The Route 66 Cup presented by Compliance Solutions will see players compete for a $100,000 bonus prize pool across four Korn Ferry Tour events in cities along historic U.S. Route 66, beginning in Amarillo at the OccuNet Classic. It continues through Springfield, Illinois (June 25-28), Glenview, Illinois (July 23-26), and ends in Owasso, Oklahoma (Oct. 1-4), where the leading points earner will be crowned the winner.
For more information about the OccuNet Classic presented by Amarillo National Bank, visit www.OccuNetClassic.com .
This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Sponsor exemption announced for OccuNet Classic in Amarillo
Reporting by Kristina Wood, Amarillo Globe-News / Amarillo Globe-News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
