Latin America Amateur Championship - Final Day
Four days of intense competition came to a thrilling climax today at the Latin America Amateur Championship - Rob Smith witnessed the action…
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- Sign up to Golf Monthly Newsletter Newsletter

Four days of intense competition came to a thrilling climax today at the Latin America Amateur Championship - Rob Smith witnessed the action…
Latin America Amateur Championship - Final Day
Following three days of intense competition at amazing Casa de Campo (opens in new tab), plenty of golfers began the final day in contention with Mexican Alvaro Ortiz on top of the leaderboard at 8-under. With more than 20 players at par or better, it would be fascinating to see whether someone would emerge from the pack as last year when Joaquin Niemann shot a stunning 63 to capture the Latin America Amateur Championship (opens in new tab) title. Joining Ortiz in the final group were Peruvian Luis Fernando Barco and Chilean Agustin Errazuriz, each a stroke off the pace.
The opening hole is just under 400 yards, so just an iron from the tee for these fine players, and both Ortiz and Barco made the perfect start with birdies, the Mexican hitting his approach to just three feet.
Ahead of them, Peru’s Julian Perico was off to a blistering start with four birdies in the opening six holes showing that golfer of this class, playing in perfect conditions, are capable of pretty much anything.
Growing the game is at the heart of the reasoning for this championship, with the organising bodies all totally committed to its success. The R&A (opens in new tab), the Masters Tournament and the USGA are all here in force this week and the winner will get a place at Augusta in less than three months as well as exemptions into the Amateur and US Amateur. Both he and the runner-up (and ties) also receive exemptions into sectional qualifying for the US Open which is at Pebble Beach in June, and into final qualifying for The Open which is at the beautifully renovated Royal Portrush (opens in new tab).
The most difficult stretch on the front nine is the oceanside holes from 6 to 8, into the breeze, well bunkered and with run-offs. Danger doesn’t so much lurk as scream all the way on the right. Costa Rica’s Luis Gagne negotiated all three in par, surrounding them with four birdies to move to the top on 10-under at the halfway stage. Meanwhile, Ortiz dropped a shot at the 8th before a superb up-and-down at the 9th saw him turn one off the lead.
As the back nine progressed, the wind increased and the leading two created some daylight between themselves and the rest of the field. Gagne birdied 11 and 14 to build a lead, but Ortiz hit back in stunning fashion with an eagle at the long 12th followed by a three at the 455-yard 13th. Bunkered at 16, Gagne holed a 15-footer to stay level with Ortiz on 12-under and effectively make it a two-horse race.
A mistake by Gagne off the tee led to sand and a bogey at the penultimate hole, and in complete contrast Ortiz almost holed for eagle, his approach running six inches past the hole. This two-shot swing, with both birdieing the closing hole, meant that the new champion is Mexico’s Alvaro Ortiz. Gagne finished two back on 12-under, while in third place was Peruvian Luis Fernando Barco.
The new champion received his trophy from Chairman of The R&A, Ian Pattinson, and so will delay turning professional which would probably have happened immediately had he not won. His older brother Carlos is already on the PGA Tour, and the delighted 23-year-old will be the first Mexican to play in the Masters in 40 years. He said afterwards, “It feels good to be able to finally hold this trophy after wanting to for so long. I can't believe I finally did it. I'm just excited about the week and I still can't believe I'm going to play the Masters. I think it's what every golfer dreams of.”
It was good to hear that runner-up Gagne is keen to take his place in Final Qualifying for The Open in July at Royal Portrush, and will be very interesting to follow the new champion Ortiz as he completes his amateur career and graduates up to the professional ranks.
There seems no doubt that this new championship has already made a significant impact in its young life, one that looks set to grow and grow.
Final Scores
1 Alvaro Ortiz Mexico -14
2 Luis Gagne Costa Rica -12
3 Luis Fernando Barco Peru -9
4 Toto Gana Chile -8
5 Andrey Borges Xavier Brazil -7
T6 Fred Biondi Brazil -6
T6 Jorge Garcia Venezuela -6
8 Agustin Errazuriz Chile -5
Rob Smith has been playing golf for more than 40 years and been a contributing editor for Golf Monthly for over ten years, specialising in course reviews and travel. He has now played more than 1,170 different courses in almost 50 countries. Despite lockdowns and travel restrictions in 2021, he still managed to play 80 different courses during the year, 43 of them for the first time. This included 21 in 13 days on a trip to East Lothian in October. One of Rob's primary roles is helping to prepare the Top 100 and Next 100 Courses of the UK&I, of which he has played all but nine. During the 2021-22 review period, Rob has played 34 of the Golf Monthly Top 200. He is a member of Tandridge Golf Club in Surrey where his handicap hovers around 16. You can contact him at r.smith896@btinternet.com.
-
-
Phil Mickelson Questions PGA Tour's Shorts Policy
During the Farmers Insurance Open broadcast, Lefty tweeted his dismay at Sam Ryder's apparel choice
By Matt Cradock • Published
-
Tyrrell Hatton Jokes Ahead Of Stenson Donald Grouping
Hatton took to Twitter as it was revealed he would be paired with both the current and former Ryder Cup captains
By Matt Cradock • Published
-
Is This FootJoy's Most Exciting New Golf Shoe In Years?
Dan Parker discusses whether the new FootJoy Fuel golf shoe has the potential to be FootJoy's most exciting to date...
By Dan Parker • Last updated
-
Governing Bodies Crack Down On Distance As Driver Shaft Lengths Limited
The R&A and USGA have introduced a new local rule to ensure professionals and elite amateurs do not use 48-inch driver shafts
By Elliott Heath • Published
-
Five-Year-Old Prodigy Raising Money And Awareness For Organ Donation
George is taking on the challenge to raise money and awareness for organ donation
By Andrew Wright • Published
-
Robert MacIntyre Returns To Shinty After Ryder Cup Disappointment
The left-hander has been in action for his local shinty side, Oban Celtic
By Andrew Wright • Published
-
Pro Plays 36 Holes In Under 80 Minutes To Win British Speedgolf Championship
Buckinghamshire professional Luke Willett took the British Speedgolf title
By Fergus Bisset • Last updated
-
"A Real Kick In The Teeth" - Greenkeeper After "Embarrassment" Course Comments
We chat to James Tibbles, head greenkeeper at Andover GC, after he was subject to negative comments on the course's condition
By Elliott Heath • Published
-
Tiger Woods' 2002 Backup Putter Sells For $393,300
Tiger Woods' 2002 Backup Putter Sells For $393,300
By Matt Cradock • Published
-
Olivia Lee Wins 2021 Peter McEvoy Trophy
Olivia Lee has become the first female to win the historic Peter McEvoy Trophy.
By Dan Parker • Published