LIMA, Peru – In an impressive opening round at the 2026 Latin America Amateur Championship at Lima Golf Club, Argentina’s Andy Schonbaum and Venezuela’s Andrés Martínez Benedetti have emerged as co-leaders, both carding a four-under 66 on Thursday. Securing victory in this tournament grants the winner invitations to compete in this year’s Masters Tournament, Open Championship, and U.S. Open.

The early groups took full advantage of the calm weather conditions. Schonbaum, who is competing in this event for the 10th time, started strong with birdies on his first two holes. Despite a bogey on the sixth, he rallied with three birdies on holes 13-16, maintaining his position at four-under-par.

“I was feeling super comfortable,” said Schonbaum, 34. “We had Tuesday and Wednesday to jot down good notes and lines, and I focused on avoiding trouble spots. I just went out and played my game. I’ve been in good form for some time, so that helped a lot.”

Meanwhile, 16-year-old Martínez Benedetti, making his first appearance in the tournament, began on the 10th hole. He turned one under before adding three more birdies on his back nine, joining Schonbaum at the top. Benedetti participated in the inaugural LAAC Academy at Casa de Campo in the Dominican Republic last August, an initiative aimed at nurturing talent from emerging golf nations.

“I’m feeling good and confident,” he commented after his round. “I got off to a solid start, and with my coach Daniel, I’m thrilled with how I played. My driving was accurate, and I didn’t miss a fairway, which really helped my score. I’m very pleased with my performance.”

Before the 2026 Latin America Amateur, Martínez Benedetti reflected on getting into this year’s field for the first time.

“Personally, playing in the Latin America Amateur has always been a dream of mine,” he said prior to the event. “It’s been a very difficult journey as I came very close to qualifying two years in a row.”

Gabriel Palacios (T-3), the highest-ranked player in the field at No. 25 in the World Amateur Golf Rankings, is two strokes behind the leaders after submitting an eventful two-under-par 68 that featured five birdies and three bogeys. He sits tied with Mexicans Carlos Treviño Derbez and Eduardo Derbez.

“Yeah, it was great,” said the Guatemalan Palacios. “It was a lot of nerves to start to be honest.  It was a very early morning.  I had to wake up around 5 a.m.  Being able to put a good score in today was very important so I’m excited.  I’m excited for what’s to come but yeah, I’m happy to start with the right foot.”  

Peru’s Patrick Sparks, the runner-up in last year’s Championship at Pilar Golf in Argentina, raced to four under at the turn but frittered the shots away on the back nine to finish the day at even par. The 2022 champion Aaron Jarvis began his Championship with a one-over 71. The opening tee shot was hit by home favorite and Lima Golf Club member Rafael Claux, who went on to card a five-over-par 75.

The second round gets underway at Lima Golf Club at 7 a.m. ET on Friday. Live television coverage runs from 2 p.m. until 5 p.m. ET on ESPN2. For the full leaderboard, click here.

Earlier Thursday, the Masters Tournament, The R&A and the USGA announced that the 12th Latin America Amateur Championship will return to Mayakoba’s El Camaleón course in Playa del Carmen, Mexico, January 14-17, 2027. The Championship was previously held at Mayakoba in 2020.

“Our return to Mayakoba signals the Founding Partners’ commitment to having the region’s most talented golfers compete on a world-class stage each year and the El Camaleón course is highly regarded for hosting prestigious championships and tour events,” said Martin Hattrell, Chairman of The R&A on behalf of the Founding Partners. “We are excited to be playing the Latin America Amateur Championship in Mexico once more and look forward to another memorable occasion in 2027.”

For more information on the Latin Amateur Championship, please visit LAACgolf.com and follow @LAAC_Golf on Facebook, Instagram, X, TikTok and YouTube.