Walt Beazley

Ortiz Tops Field At Latin America Amateur

Hog Leaderboard
T1. Ortiz 🇮🇹 (-2)
T4. Echavarria 🇪🇨 (E)
T16. Garza 🇮🇹 (+7)

PANAMA CITY, Panama – Razorback junior Alvaro Ortiz fired a 3-under 69 at the Latin America Amateur Championship on Saturday and is tied for the lead heading into Sunday’s final round at Club de Golf de Panama.

Ortiz was one of five players in red figures during the third round as he recorded three birdies and one eagle to post rounds of 71-70-67 – 208 (-2) after 54 holes of action. Playing for his home country of Mexico, Ortiz is looking to stay red hot after recording a 70.4 stroke average during the fall season with three top-five finishes, including a runner-up performance at Pebble Beach Golf Club.

The winner of the event will earn exemption into the 2017 Masters Tournament and the Amateur Championship, while also earning exemption into the final stage of qualifying for the 2017 U.S. Open at Erin Hills.

Former teammate and Colombia native Nicolas Echavarria is also eyeing that Master’s exemption after an even-par 70 during the third round to post 67-72-71 – 210 (E) during the first three days. He sits just two shots off the pace at T-4th overall.

Arkansas freshman and Mexico native Luis Garza made the cut to the weekend and his 3-over 75 on Saturday left him T-16th overall at 75-69-73 – 217 (+7).

The final round of the Latin America Amateur Championship will tee off Sunday morning at 7:37 a.m. with live television coverage starting at noon CT on ESPN.

For more information on Arkansas men’s golf, follow @RazorbackMGolf on Twitter.