Fernandez de Oliveira takes 4-shot lead in Latin Amateur

By: The Associated Press Posted: 5:22 PM CST Saturday, Jan. 14, 2023

RIO GRANDE, Puerto Rico (AP) — Mateo Fernandez de Oliveira of Argentina had a record day at Grand Reserve to build a four-shot lead Saturday in the Latin America Amateur Championship, leaving him one round away from a spot in the Masters and U.S. Open.

Read this article for free:

or

Already have an account? Log in here »

To continue reading, please subscribe:

*First annual payment billed as $205.00 + GST for one year. This annual subscription will automatically renew at $233.00 + GST every 52 weeks (10% off the regular annual price of $259.35). Offer available to new and qualified returning subscribers only. Cancel any time.

Read unlimited articles for free today:

or

Already have an account? Log in here »

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 14/01/2023 (1359 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Fernandez de Oliveira, who missed a playoff by one shot last year in the Dominican Republic, tied the tournament record with a 9-under 63.

The senior at Arkansas was at 18-under, breaking by eight shots the 54-hole record in the championship, which began in 2015. He also tied a record with nine birdies.

Luis Carrera of Mexico, who had the 36-hole lead, had a 68 and was four shots back. Vicente Marzilio of Argentina (66) and Juan Perico of Peru (67) were another shot behind. Marzilio also was a runner-up last year.

Fernandez de Oliveira failed to birdie a pair of par 5s on the front nine and didn’t press it. And then he turned it on, making four straight birdies starting on the 12th hole and posting a 30 on the back nine to build his big lead.

“I’m feeling very good. It’s been a great three rounds,” Fernandez de Oliveira said. “I think I put myself in the spot that I like to be going into the final round. I made some good stuff out there during these first three days, so I’m looking forward to tomorrow.”

The winner earns a spot in the Masters in April and the U.S. Open in June at Los Angeles Country Club, along with a spot in final qualifying for the British Open.

Defending champion Aaron Jarvis of the Cayman Islands had a 72 and fell 16 shots behind in his bid to become the first Latin America Amateur champion to win twice.

___

AP golf: https://apnews.com/hub/golf and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports