Loading article...
Loading article...
see also: Clarisa Temelo, View results for Women's Latin America Amateur, PGA Riviera Maya
Temelo backed up here status as the top ranked player in the field after a first round 6-under 65 to take a five shot lead
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 6-under 65 and a commanding five-shot advantage over three players.
Two Colombian players, teenager Luana Valero, 17, and 30-year-old Silvia Garces recorded one-under-par 70s, 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. 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 neighborhood 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 kilometers from Lima, the course—supported by the R&A and the Peruvian Golf Federation—offers an accessible space to practice and 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 R&A's Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific championship 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. This week, 27 players aged 18 and younger and 41 players who have previously competed in the championship will be in the field.
| Place | Player | Location | Pts | Scores |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | , Mexico | 1000 | 65-70-71-69=275 | |
| 2 | , Barbados | 700 | 71-68-70-72=281 | |
| 3 | , Mexico | 500 | 73-68-68-73=282 | |
| 4 | , Colombia | 500 | 70-74-68-72=284 | |
| 5 | , Peru | 500 | 72-72-66-66=276 |

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 ...

Rory McIlroy Wins 2026 Seminole Pro-Member With Dad Gerry
Mar 2, 2026Rory McIlroy added another trophy to the mantle on golf’s most exclusive Monday, teaming with father Gerry at Seminole Golf Club.
U.S. Open Qualifying 2026: Local & Final Qualifying Sites for Shinnecock
Feb 19, 2026The road to Shinnecock Hills begins in April as 110 local qualifying sites and 13 final qualifying venues are set.
FINAL RESULTS: Gasparilla Invitational 2026
Feb 21, 2026Hayes Brown wins Gasparilla at 2-under, edging Peyton White by one, while Jeff Frazier claims the Senior title at Palma Ceia.
Michael McCoy Wins 2026 Jones Cup Senior Invitational at Sea Island
Feb 26, 20262026 Jones Cup Senior Invitational at Sea Island’s Seaside Course Final Results + Leaderboard
2026 San Francisco City Championship Qualifier Round 2 COMPLETE
Mar 8, 2026Alexander Thu surges to No. 1 seed and 48 Players are moving on to Match Play at TPC Harding Park.