Santiago De La Fuente Wins Latin America Amateur Championship
1/22/2024 10:31:00 AM | Men's Golf
Senior All-American fires Final-Round 64 on Sunday; Earns exemptions into US Open and The Open Championship and invitation to The Masters in 2024
PANAMA CITY, Panama – University of Houston senior All-American Santiago De La Fuente fired a 64 in the Final Round to win the Latin America Amateur Championship by two strokes at Santa Maria Golf Club on Sunday afternoon.
With his newest tournament title, De La Fuente received exemptions to play in the U.S. Open Championship and The Open Championship and received an invitation to play in The Masters in 2024.
After opening the tournament with a 69 Thursday and following with a 71 on the par-70 course, De La Fuente posted a 66 in Saturday's Third Round to enter the final day one stroke back of the leader.
On Sunday, the Guadalajara, Mexico, native quickly moved into red numbers with a birdie at No. 2 and added back-to-back birdies on Nos. 5-6.
De La Fuente overcame his lone bogey of the day at No. 7 with a birdie on the next hole and moved to 4-under with a birdie at No. 11. He then birdied each of the last two holes to move past Mexico's Omar Morales and capture the title.
This season, De La Fuente leads the Cougars with a 70.00 scoring average and five rounds under par in six total rounds. He tied for second at the season-opening Argent Financial Classic at Squire Creek Country Club on Sept. 10-12, 2023, thanks to three straight sub-par rounds.
De La Fuente also posted a 2-1-2 record at the Big 12 Match Play Tournament to lead the Cougars to a fourth-place finish to close the fall campaign at The Clubs at Houston Oaks on Oct. 9-11, 2023.
UP NEXT
De La Fuente and his Cougar teammates returns to action to open their spring season at the Southwestern Invitational at North Ranch Country Club in Westlake Village, Calif., on Jan. 29-31.
The Cougars then return to the Lone Star State to play host to the Border Olympics at Laredo Country Club in Laredo, Texas on Feb. 19-20.
SUPPORT HOUSTON RISE
Join Houston Rise, a $150 million fundraising campaign for Houston Athletics dedicated to championship success in the Big 12 Conference.
Every Houston Rise contribution prepares our Cougars to compete and win when we start Big 12 competition in July 2023. Click here to rise and be counted.
JOIN PROJECT 17
Fans are invited to join Project 17 to support Houston Men's Golf. Project members provide financial support directly to Houston Men's Golf for needs beyond the program's operating budget.
For information about Project 17 or to join, fans can click here.
STAY CONNECTED
Fans can receive updates by following @UHCougarMGolf on Twitter and catch up with the latest news and notes on the team by clicking LIKE on the team's Facebook page at UHCougarMGolf. Fans also can follow the team on Instagram at uhcougarmgolf.
With his newest tournament title, De La Fuente received exemptions to play in the U.S. Open Championship and The Open Championship and received an invitation to play in The Masters in 2024.
After opening the tournament with a 69 Thursday and following with a 71 on the par-70 course, De La Fuente posted a 66 in Saturday's Third Round to enter the final day one stroke back of the leader.
On Sunday, the Guadalajara, Mexico, native quickly moved into red numbers with a birdie at No. 2 and added back-to-back birdies on Nos. 5-6.
De La Fuente overcame his lone bogey of the day at No. 7 with a birdie on the next hole and moved to 4-under with a birdie at No. 11. He then birdied each of the last two holes to move past Mexico's Omar Morales and capture the title.
This season, De La Fuente leads the Cougars with a 70.00 scoring average and five rounds under par in six total rounds. He tied for second at the season-opening Argent Financial Classic at Squire Creek Country Club on Sept. 10-12, 2023, thanks to three straight sub-par rounds.
De La Fuente also posted a 2-1-2 record at the Big 12 Match Play Tournament to lead the Cougars to a fourth-place finish to close the fall campaign at The Clubs at Houston Oaks on Oct. 9-11, 2023.
UP NEXT
De La Fuente and his Cougar teammates returns to action to open their spring season at the Southwestern Invitational at North Ranch Country Club in Westlake Village, Calif., on Jan. 29-31.
The Cougars then return to the Lone Star State to play host to the Border Olympics at Laredo Country Club in Laredo, Texas on Feb. 19-20.
SUPPORT HOUSTON RISE
Join Houston Rise, a $150 million fundraising campaign for Houston Athletics dedicated to championship success in the Big 12 Conference.
Every Houston Rise contribution prepares our Cougars to compete and win when we start Big 12 competition in July 2023. Click here to rise and be counted.
JOIN PROJECT 17
Fans are invited to join Project 17 to support Houston Men's Golf. Project members provide financial support directly to Houston Men's Golf for needs beyond the program's operating budget.
For information about Project 17 or to join, fans can click here.
STAY CONNECTED
Fans can receive updates by following @UHCougarMGolf on Twitter and catch up with the latest news and notes on the team by clicking LIKE on the team's Facebook page at UHCougarMGolf. Fans also can follow the team on Instagram at uhcougarmgolf.
– UHCougars.com –
Players Mentioned
/ Men's Golf
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