Mexico’s Clarisa Temelo underlined her status as the top-ranked player in the field to impressively claim the early lead at the Women’s Amateur Latin America championship (WALA) in Peru.
The 72-hole championship, presented by The R&A and the ANNIKA Foundation, is taking place in Peru for the first time at Lima Golf Club, which celebrates its 100th anniversary this year.
Temelo, 18, shone in the testing opening day conditions to sign for a six-under-par 65 and a commanding five-shot advantage over three players.
Two players from Colombia recorded one-under-par 70s, teenager Luana Valero, 17, and 30-year-old Silvia Garces, the same score as Brazil’s Lauren Grinberg, 24.
As the leading player on the World Amateur Golf Ranking® (WAGR®) at 136th, Temelo illustrated her talent with a first round that featured four birdies in her first six holes. Given the breeze picked up on occasions on a warm day, her bogey-free round was even more impressive to lead the 60-player field representing 12 countries in the region.
In her first season at the University of Arkansas, Temelo has enjoyed two previous top-15 finishes in the championship as she aims to become the first Mexican to win the WALA title.
The champion this week will play alongside the stars of women´s professional golf from around the world in three major championships next year – the AIG Women’s Open, The Chevron Championship and The Amundi Evian Championship.
One of seven Peru players in the field, Ximena Benites struck the opening tee shot on a historic day for the championship in the San Isidro neighbourhood of the nation’s capital. Only four players finished under par on day one and defending champion Ela Anacona from Argentina was among those to struggle with a four-over 75.
Children from the San Bartolo public course, a project designed to bring golf to more people, enjoyed the afternoon action. Located approximately 50 kilometres from Lima, the course – supported by The R&A and the Peruvian Golf Federation – offers an accessible space to practice, but also has a golf school for children from low-income families, allowing new generations to play without economic barriers.
The Women’s Amateur Latin America championship presented by The R&A and the ANNIKA Foundation follows the successful introduction of the Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific championship by The R&A in 2018.
Its aim is to strengthen the pathway to the very highest levels of golf by providing a platform for the region’s best women’s amateur golfers to compete against each other, with 27 players in the field this week aged 18 and younger and 41 players having previously competed in the championship.
Key Quotes
Clarisa Temelo, Mexico (-6)
“I’m very happy. The course is in really good condition. It was a little bit windy but overall it was fun and I stayed patient.
“On the front nine I was hitting good strokes and gave myself good opportunities for birdies. I then rolled in a long birdie putt on the 15th which helped too. But I’m now going to try and forget about today and just keep playing well tomorrow.
“Ela (Anacona) told me about her experience of playing in three majors as last year’s winner. Of course, that is a dream of mine too. Being able to talk to her has been good, as she used to be at the University of Arkansas who I’m now playing for. It’s pretty inspiring for me.”
Silvia Garces, Colombia (-1)
“The course was really fun. I drove the ball pretty well and my greens in regulation, importantly on the par-3s, were pretty good. I was consistent from the tee and onto the green.
“It is a privilege to be here, this is my first WALA. I enjoy every tournament and I’m really excited to be here. I think this is one of the best championships of the year and I’m very lucky to be here. I want to enjoy every round and finish with a smile on my face because, as I said, it’s a privilege to be here.”
Luana Valero, Colombia (-1)
“I played really well. I made a few little mistakes but I feel very comfortable on the course. Last week I signed with Purdue University in Indiana. They are like my second family already. The programme is amazing and I’m so excited.”
Lauren Grinberg, Brazil (-1
“I was just really patient throughout the day and hit some really good shots and also some really bad shots. It’s still a great round and a great way to start the championship. I only missed two or three fairways and that was important. It can be a tricky course but is much easier from the middle of the fairway.”
For more information and the round one leaderboard, please visit walagolf.com
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