Benjamin Fernandez and Maria Jose Marin win South American Amateur

Paraguay’s Benjamín Fernández and Colombia’s María José Marín delivered unforgettable performances at the 19th South American Amateur Open, dazzling spectators at the French Sports Club in Santiago, Chile. The tournament, organized by the South American Golf Federation with support from The R&A, launched the 2025 golf season in a spectacular fashion.

For Fernández, a freshman at Glenville State and ranked 457th in the Golfweek/AmateurGolf.com men’s standings, the event marked a career milestone. After 72 holes, he was tied at 13-under (275) with Colombia’s Carlos Jesús Ardila.

The title was decided on the first playoff hole, where Fernández’s brilliant second shot landed just four feet from the pin. His eagle putt secured not only the win but also Paraguay’s first championship title in the tournament’s history. Ardila, who had forced the playoff with an exceptional eagle just moments earlier, settled for a birdie.

“This means everything to me and to Paraguay,” said Fernández, visibly emotional after the victory. His success was further bolstered by fellow Paraguayan Erich Fortlage, who finished third at 10-under.

In the women’s competition, 18-year-old María José Marín ranked No. 6 in the Golfweek/AmateurGolf.com Women’s Rankings and a sophomore at the University of Arkansas, showcased her immense talent.

She successfully defended her title with a flawless final-round 64 (-8), finishing at a record-setting 17-under (271). Marín’s round was nothing short of extraordinary, featuring six birdies in the last seven holes and an eagle on the 4th. Runner-up Scarlett Schremmer, who finished at 5-under, was left 12 strokes behind—a testament to Marín’s dominance.

“I stayed focused and played smart. Everything came together,” Marín said as she celebrated her back-to-back victories. Her performance not only set records for the lowest total score but also for the widest margin of victory in the tournament’s history.