Trio Share First Round Lead at Latin America Amateur Championship
Manuel Merizalde of Colombia, Patrick Sparks of Peru, and Gabriel Palacios of Guatemala share the lead at six-under-par after the opening round of the Latin America Amateur Championship at Pilar Golf Club in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Golfer swinging club on golf course
The 45-year-old Merizalde, a former professional now working in security, carded an impressive 66 with seven birdies and just one bogey. Sparks matched that score with a dynamic round featuring seven birdies and an eagle, while Palacios completed the trio at the top with his own 66.
Franco Ricciardelli and Mateo Pulcini, both from Argentina, sit one shot back at five-under-par 67. Puerto Rican Jeronimo Esteve highlighted his round of 68 with a hole-in-one at the 6th hole.
The champion will receive:
- An invitation to the 2025 Masters Tournament
- Automatic qualification for The 153rd Open Championship
- A spot in the 125th U.S. Open at Oakmont Country Club
- Exemptions into The 130th Amateur Championship and U.S. Amateur Championship
Runners-up will earn exemptions into final qualifying for The Open and U.S. Open, while second and third place finishers qualify for The Amateur Championship.
The LAAC, founded by The R&A, The Masters, and The USGA, has produced notable champions since its 2015 inception, including PGA Tour winner Joaquin Niemann. Other prominent players who have competed include Nico Echavarria, Sebastian Munoz, Mito Pereira, and Alvaro Ortiz.