Mateo Pulcini of Argentina secured a dramatic playoff victory at the Latin American Amateur Championship in Lima, Peru, earning invitations to the Masters, U.S. Open and Open Championship. The 25-year-old outlasted Virgilio Paz of Venezuela after both finished at 5-under 275. Pulcini's win marks him as the oldest champion in the event's history since 2015.
The Latin American Amateur Championship concluded on Sunday at Lima Golf Club with a tense playoff between Mateo Pulcini and Virgilio Paz. Pulcini, who played college golf at Oklahoma Christian and later transferred to Arkansas, entered the final round two shots behind leader Segundo Oliva Pinto. He carded a 2-under 68, featuring birdies on holes 12 and 14, a bogey on 13, and a crucial 40-foot par save on the 17th to match Paz's 25-foot birdie and stay tied at 5-under.
On the 18th hole in regulation, Paz chipped to 8 feet and made par to force the playoff—the second in tournament history. The first extra hole saw Pulcini benefit from a lucky break: his approach from the right rough avoided trees, allowing a 40-yard chip to 20 feet, which he converted for par. Paz matched with par, extending the playoff.
On the second playoff hole, Paz's tee shot found trouble in the left rough, leading to a flyer lie and a chip 40 feet past the hole. He missed the par putt, while Pulcini chipped short, used his putter for a 3-foot tap-in par to clinch the title. "It was a lot of nerves coming in," Pulcini said. "As always, I tried to have fun, to laugh. Being in that position I was dreaming of at the beginning of the week, why not take advantage and enjoy?"
Paz, a senior at the University of Missouri, reflected positively: "It was a fun fight, a long day. I'm proud of myself for what I did. I go back to school happy." His runner-up finish earns exemptions to final qualifying for the U.S. Open, Open Championship, U.S. Amateur and the Amateur Championship. Pulcini becomes the third Argentine winner, following Chile's three titles. Oliva Pinto finished fifth with a final-round 73.
"We dream to play and to win this," Pulcini added. "I have no words right now. I’m so happy and so grateful for the people around me." The victory sets up an exciting 2026 for Pulcini, starting at Augusta National.
