Fernandez de Oliveira, Argentina charge at South American Am

SANTIAGO, Chile (Jan. 10, 2018) – The Argentinians have a firm grasp on the South American Amateur leaderboard after the first round at Club de Golf Los Leones. Mateo Fernandez De Oliveira came out of the gate with a front-nine 30 on the way to a 7-under 65 that allowed him to set the pace. Compatriot Horacio Carbonetti added a 67 behind him to fall into second.

Fernandez De Oliveira, who is coming off a 21st-place finish at the Junior Orange Bowl last week, threw out six birdies on the front nine. He had two bogeys on the back to slow him down.

Most of the teenager’s success on the golf course came in his native Argentina in 2018. He represented his country at the World Amateur Team Championship in September (Argentina was T-18) and also made significant starts at the Junior Invitational at Sage Valley and the IMG Junior World Championship.

Carbonetti has a similar track record, with most of his starts coming in Argentina. He won the 2017 Campeonato de la Provincia de Cordoba, and was also 33rd at the 2018 Latin America Amateur Championship.

Five players are tied for third with a 4-under 68. Luis Gagne, the LSU senior from Costa Rica who tied for low-amateur honors at the 2018 U.S. Open, highlights that group. He had a consistent day of scoring with five birdies and one bogey. Gagne is currently No. 50 in the World Amateur Golf Ranking.

Two former Latin America Amateur champions managed to get under par. Paul Chaplet, who won the LAAC in 2016 and the South American Amateur in 2017, is tied for 11th at 2 under and Tomas “Toto” Gana, who won the LAAC in 207, is 1 under and part of a group in 17th.

Defending South American Amateur champion Chris Crisologo, from Canada, opened with even-par 72 and is T-23.