Ricky Castillo had always been a fast starter.

A junior standout from Southern California, he decamped for the University of Florida clear across the country, where he led the Gators with a 70.08 scoring average as a freshman. He even qualified for the 2020 U.S. Open at Winged Foot.

When he shot 73-79 to miss the cut, he resolved to make it a mere blip, not a reality check.

“I did not play my best this week, but it was great to have the experience out here and everything,” said Castillo, citing a practice round with fellow Gator Billy Horschel.

“Just being around him was a really cool experience for me,” Castillo said.

Sure enough, Castillo has done nothing but continue his rocket-like ascent. He was a four-time All-SEC performer at Florida, which won the 2023 NCAA title.

Upon turning pro, Castillo joined the Korn Ferry Tour as a conditional member via a No. 9 finish in the 2023 PGA TOUR University Ranking. Then he won his professional and Korn Ferry Tour debut at the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas Wichita Open Benefitting KU Wichita Pediatrics, defeating Adrien Dumont de Chassart and Kyle Jones in a playoff.

At 22 years, 3 months, 30 days of age the day of his victory, Castillo would finish as the youngest winner of the 2023 Korn Ferry Tour season. Fully exempt for the 2024 Korn Ferry Tour season, he got off to another fast start this year.

After missing the cut in his first start in the Bahamas, Castillo went on a run of six straight top-20 finishes after that, establishing himself as one to watch.

He would finish T2 at the Magnit Championship in August and finished 26th on the Korn Ferry Tour Points List to earn his PGA TOUR card for 2025.

Castillo has yet to make a cut in two career PGA TOUR starts – in addition to the 2020 U.S. Open, he shot 73-70 to miss the cut at the Valspar Championship in March – but he’s found success at every level. A member of the 2021 U.S. Walker Cup team, he makes a lot of birdies. He’s also fearless, and as his time in Gainesville proved, a winner.

Oh, and he’s got an ace in the hole in PGA TOUR practice round partner/mentor Horschel.

About Ricky Castillo

• Age: 23
• Hometown: Yorba Linda, California
• Alma mater: University of Florida
• PGA TOUR starts: 2
• Cuts made: 0
• Best PGA TOUR finish: MC

Notes: Finished with four top-10s on the Korn Ferry Tour in 2024 … Two-time AJGA Rolex First team All American ... Advanced to the Round of 16 for the second straight year at the 2022 U.S. Amateur … Helped U.S. Team win 2021 Arnold Palmer Cup … Four consecutive Sweet 16 appearances at the Western Amateur (2019-22) – made it to quarterfinals in 2021, semifinals in 2019 and 2020.