Record-setting 63 gives Mateo Fernandez de Oliveira lead at Latin America Amateur

Mateo Fernandez de Oliveira of Argentina matched the lowest round in the history of the Latin America Amateur Championship on Saturday with a 9-under 63 and will sleep on a four-stroke lead in anticipation of Sunday's final round at the Grand Reserve Golf Club in Puerto Rico.

After going out in 33, Fernandez de Oliveira turned up the heat on his inward nine with five consecutive birdies from holes 11 to 15 to seize control of the tournament. He added another on 18 to post a 9-under 63, matching Joaquin Niemann's single-round scoring record set in 2018 in Santiago, Chile.

At 18-under par, the Arkansas senior is the new holder of the 54-hole LAAC scoring record and is four shots clear of second-round leader Luis Carrera of Mexico, who posted a third-round 68.

Fernandez de Oliveira has three top-20 finishes to his credit in his previous five starts at the LAAC, including a runner-up showing last year at Casa de Campo.

His Arkansas Razorback teammate, Julian Perico of Peru, is tied for third with Vicente Marzilio of Argentina at 13-under par.

Colombia's Juan Velasquez turned in the second-lowest round of the day with a 7-under 65 which was highlighted by six birdies and an eagle.

The LAAC champion will receive an invitation to compete in the 2023 Masters at Augusta National Golf Club and will automatically qualify for The 151st Open at Royal Liverpool. For the first time, the winner will also earn a spot in the US Open, held this year at Los Angeles Country Club.

The winner also receives full exemptions into The 128th Amateur Championship, the U.S. Amateur Championship and any other USGA amateur championship for which he is eligible.

Runner(s)-up will be exempt into the final stages of qualifying for The 151st Open and the 123rd U.S. Open Championship.

Previous champions of the LAAC include Joaquin Niemann of Chile and Mexico’s Alvaro Ortiz.