Mexico’s Santiago De la Fuente finished in style with two closing birdies to win the Latin America Amateur Championship on Sunday at Santa Maria Golf Club in Panama City, Panama.
The young Mexican beat countryman Omar Morales by two shots, closing with a superb round of 64 for a 10-under-par 270 total, to win the ninth staging of the championship.
By virtue of his triumph, De la Fuente earns invitations to play in the 152nd Open at Royal Troon in July, plus the 2024 Masters Tournament and the 2024 U.S. Open at Pinehurst.
He also receives full exemptions into the Amateur Championship and the U.S. Amateur this summer.
“I don’t think there has been any better moment in my life,” said the victor, a senior at the University of Houston. “I knew it wasn’t going to be easy. I know what a good player Omar is. I’m so happy to be playing in these majors. What a great opportunity I have. It’s amazing.”
De la Fuente started the final round three shots behind Morales, but three birdies in the first six holes set the tone for his triumph. The pair were locked together on 8-under with two to play, before De la Fuente made a birdie two on the 17th and another birdie at the par-4 18th for a notable victory.
Founded by the Masters Tournament, the R&A and the USGA in 2014, the Latin America Amateur Championship was established to further develop amateur golf in South America, Central America, Mexico and the Caribbean
Runner-up Morales secured exemptions into the final stages of qualifying for the 152nd Open and the 124th U.S. Open.
Colombia’s Mateo Fuenmayor closed with a 70 to take third place on 3-under, and Justin Hastings of the Cayman Islands posted a 67 for fourth place, a shot further back.
The quartet were the only players to finish under par, with three players sharing fifth spot on 3-over: Andrew Jarvis from the Cayman Islands, Colombia’s Carlos Ardila and Brazil’s Andrey Xavier. In 2022, De la Fuente finished tied second in the championship as Jarvis won.
Founded by the Masters Tournament, the R&A and the USGA in 2014, the Latin America Amateur Championship was established to further develop amateur golf in South America, Central America, Mexico and the Caribbean. The event annually moves to top courses throughout Latin America and showcases the sport’s rising talent in the region.
Notable past competitors include Colombia’s Nico Echavarria and Sebastian Muñoz, Argentina’s Alejandro Tosti and Chile’s Mito Pereira and Joaquín Niemann, the latter of whom won the 2018 championship.
Before the championship began last week, the Masters Tournament, the R&A and the USGA announced that the 10th Latin America Amateur will be contested at Pilar Golf in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on 16-19 January in 2025. The Latin America Amateur will return to Pilar 10 years after the inaugural championship was held at the course in 2015.
For more information on the Latin America Amateur Championship, click HERE.
RESULTS
Follow The R&A on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.
The R&A