Chilean golfer Mark Tullo won the Chilean Open for the third time, 20 years after his first victory, with a stunning comeback at the Prince of Wales Country Club. He finished with 278 strokes at -10, overtaking Agustín Errázuriz in the final round. In the women's category, Agustina Gómez Cisterna triumphed in a playoff against Amelia Ruiz.
The 95th edition of the Chilean Open crowned Mark Tullo as champion for the third time at age 47. His first win came in 2005, followed by another in 2006, establishing him as the national golf bicampion at the time. This edition saw Tullo shine on the final Sunday with a 66-stroke round, overtaking Saturday leader Agustín Errázuriz.
Tullo notched an eagle on hole 3 and birdies on holes 4, 6, and 9, conceding a bogey on 14. The finish was dramatic: Errázuriz erred by hitting the ball into the water on the last hole, while Tullo closed with a birdie on the 18th flag. Gustavo Silva finished second at -9, with Diego Prone and Errázuriz tying for third at -8.
“Nice to return to Chile. Winning... I never thought I could win in Chile, especially on my home course. I'm thrilled, I played super well today. I won by one, that's how golf goes. Agustín hit it into the water on the last, bad luck for him. As one wins, one also loses. It's happened to me a thousand times, but this time it was my turn to win. Very happy to have won and be here, with the kids watching me, it's spectacular,” Tullo said after his victory.
In the women's division, Agustina Gómez Cisterna claimed the title in a playoff against Amelia Ruiz, both at -9 overall. Ruiz bogeyed the first playoff hole, allowing Gómez Cisterna to secure her first tournament win. “The first two days I didn't play my best golf, I didn't have much hope this would happen, but yesterday I played a bit better. Being closer, today I went out more hopeful that it could be achieved. Happy to have come, first time I've come. Last year I didn't come and I regretted it, so I said this year I would come no matter what. Even happier to leave with the cup at home,” the winner remarked.
