Mateo Fernandez de Oliveira is 23 years old on Monday, but he received some gifts early Sunday.
With his victory at the 2023 Latin America Amateur Championship in Arkansas, Fernandez de Oliveira set the 72-hole scoring records. This award comes with more than a trophy. Fernandez de Oliveira was the second Argentinian who won the LAAC after Abel Gallegos, 2020. He also received an invitation to the 2023 Masters and an exemption to play in the U.S. Open at Los Angeles Country Club.
“I am still shocked. Fernandez de Oliveira said, “I think my life has changed.” “I look forward to a wonderful year. I will take advantage of all three opportunities I have been given to win this event. “I’m happy, and I want to enjoy every moment of it.
He said, “It’s very special to go back to where Roberto De Vicenzo won in 1967. “I went to Royal Liverpool in 2016 and when I entered the clubhouse they asked me my country of origin. I replied Argentina. They then took me to the lunchroom where portraits were taken and information about the time he won. It was a great feeling.
Fernandez de Oliveira shot an impressive 5-under 67 in Sunday’s final round to break the 273 mark set by Joaquin Niemann (2018). Four shots behind Luis Carrera, he finished second and qualified for the U.S. Open.
Carrera said, “I think it’s been a great week.” “I’m not sad at all. It was an amazing experience, and I wish I could have won. I proved that I could play great golf and be up there in big tournaments. It’s satisfying.”
Vicente Marzillo was last year’s Casa de Campo runner-up. Jose Islas came in fourth at 15 under, Manuel Lozada fifth at 14 under. Defending champion Aaron Jarvis finished T-17 at 4 under.
The 2024 Latin America Amateur Championship, Jan. 18-21, will be held at Santa Maria Golf Club, Panama City, Panama.
