Women's Latin America Amateur: Ela Anacona surges into the lead
November 17, 2023 | by Royal & Ancient
see also: Ela Anacona, View results for Women's Latin America Amateur, PGA Riviera Maya
Anacona takes the lead over from Maria Olivero heading into the last 18 holes
Argentina’s Ela Anacona surged four strokes clear after a brilliant third-round display in the Women’s Amateur Latin America championship presented by The R&A and the ANNIKA Foundation at Pilar Golf.
Trailing by three shots overnight to experienced compatriot Maria Olivero, the 23-year-old handled the windiest conditions of the week to post an excellent 5-under 67 for a 12-under total going into tomorrow’s final round.
With an earlier two-tee start given a later weather threat at the venue north of Buenos Aires, Anacona had pulled level with Olivero after only three holes following a double bogey from the 49-year-old on the par-5 No. 2 and Anacona’s birdie at No. 3
The University of Arkansas fifth-year student, making her third appearance in the championship after two previous top-15 finishes, continued to thrive and made four birdies in seven holes from the 8th.
Anacona’s birdie at the par-4 No. 9 highlighted her quality, striking a glorious 8-iron approach from among trees on the right to six feet, before a tee shot to five feet at the par-3 17th set up another birdie. Her only bogey came at the last, but Anacona still set a new championship 54-hole record.
Olivero, the 11-time Argentine Women’s Stroke Play champion, stayed in contention after a birdie at the short 6th before bogeying the par-5 13th as she signed for a 74 and an eight-under total of 208. Venezuela’s Vanessa Gilly fought to stay in touch with the two Argentinians at the top of the leaderboard but had an up-and-down day in her 75 for 3-under.
A group of three players are next best-placed on one-under – Mexico’s Sofia Clarisa Temelo Escalera, Daniela Ballesteros from Peru and Colombia’s Sofia Torres. Ballesteros, who finished third last year, produced the round of the day after a superb six-under 66 in the tricky conditions, which featured seven birdies and an eagle at the par-5 7th.
A field of 59 talented players representing 13 countries are competing in the Women’s Amateur Latin America championship, being staged at Pilar Golf for the third time.
The champion can look forward to playing in three major championships next year – the AIG Women’s Open, The Chevron Championship and The Amundi Evian Championship. She will also compete in The Women’s Amateur Championship and The Hilton Grand Vacations ANNIKA Invitational presented by Rolex in 2024.
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.
Trailing by three shots overnight to experienced compatriot Maria Olivero, the 23-year-old handled the windiest conditions of the week to post an excellent 5-under 67 for a 12-under total going into tomorrow’s final round.
With an earlier two-tee start given a later weather threat at the venue north of Buenos Aires, Anacona had pulled level with Olivero after only three holes following a double bogey from the 49-year-old on the par-5 No. 2 and Anacona’s birdie at No. 3
The University of Arkansas fifth-year student, making her third appearance in the championship after two previous top-15 finishes, continued to thrive and made four birdies in seven holes from the 8th.
Anacona’s birdie at the par-4 No. 9 highlighted her quality, striking a glorious 8-iron approach from among trees on the right to six feet, before a tee shot to five feet at the par-3 17th set up another birdie. Her only bogey came at the last, but Anacona still set a new championship 54-hole record.
A group of three players are next best-placed on one-under – Mexico’s Sofia Clarisa Temelo Escalera, Daniela Ballesteros from Peru and Colombia’s Sofia Torres. Ballesteros, who finished third last year, produced the round of the day after a superb six-under 66 in the tricky conditions, which featured seven birdies and an eagle at the par-5 7th.
A field of 59 talented players representing 13 countries are competing in the Women’s Amateur Latin America championship, being staged at Pilar Golf for the third time.
The champion can look forward to playing in three major championships next year – the AIG Women’s Open, The Chevron Championship and The Amundi Evian Championship. She will also compete in The Women’s Amateur Championship and The Hilton Grand Vacations ANNIKA Invitational presented by Rolex in 2024.
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.
Results: Women's Latin America Amateur
| Place | Player | Location | Pts | Scores |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | , Argentina | 1000 | 67-70-67-69=273 | |
| 2 | , Venezuela | 700 | 70-68-75-72=285 | |
| 3 | , Argentina | 500 | 65-69-74-78=286 | |
| 4 | , Chile | 500 | 72-71-73-71=287 | |
| 5 | , Peru | 500 | 73-73-71-71=288 |
About the Women's Latin America Amateur
Introduced in 2021, this tournament was created by the R&A and the ANNIKA Foundation. The 72-hole stroke play event will have a select field of 60 players, with invitations given based on World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR). The winner will receive an ...
Most Popular Articles
LIVE SCORING: 2026 Australian Men’s Amateur Championship
Feb 4, 2026Australia’s national amateur championship returns Feb. 3–6 at The Western Australian and Wanneroo.
2026 Ben Hogan Award Watch List: 35 Names to Know This Spring
Jan 29, 2026The 2026 Ben Hogan Award watch list is out—35 college golf standouts are in the early mix for the game’s top individual honor.
Titleist Fitting Philosophy: The Competitive Amateur’s Fastest Path to Lower Scores
Jan 26, 2026Competitive golf is a game of small edges. Titleist’s fitting approach combines expert human insight and honest data
NCAA Champion Michael La Sasso Turns Pro, Signs With LIV Golf
Jan 20, 2026Michael La Sasso is going LIV, joining Phil Mickelson’s HyFlyers GC and passing on the 2026 Masters.
Early Invites Announced for the 2026 Augusta National Women’s Amateur
Jan 24, 2026A running list of the first confirmed names headed to Augusta.