Bertinotti Takes Lead at Latin American Amateur

LA ROMANA, Dominican Republican – Argentina's Gaston Bertinotti made a 25-foot birdie putt on the last hole to surge into the lead with one round remaining at the Latin American Amateur. Bertinotti fired a 69 to climb back from five behind second-round leader Nicolas Echavarria, only making one bogey in his last 36 holes. “It’s awesome to be in the lead right now,” Bertinotti told Golf Channel, “but we still have to play 18 more holes.” After a 65 yesterday, Echavarria struggled to keep up his pace. His tee shot on the par 3 7th hole found the rocks and led to a costly triple bogey. His 77 leaves him three shots back of Bertinotti, still very much alive. “There’s still a chance,” Echavarria told Golf Channel, “so you have to be positive about it. Eighteen more holes to play the Masters.” Columbia's Jorge Garcia also shot a third-round 69, leaving him just one shot behind Bertinotti. Alejandro Tosti backed up his 2nd round 65 with a 73, giving him a two-stroke margin to close. With a Masters invitation on the line, tomorrow's final round will certainty pose a challenge unlike any other.