Less than a week away from the start of the fifth edition of the Women’s Amateur Latin America championship (WALA), all eyes are naturally on the players who could shine at the event organised by The R&A and the ANNIKA Foundation, taking place from 20–23 November at PGA Riviera Maya in Mexico.

This year’s field features the region’s most outstanding amateur golfers, but a number of players stand out as the main contenders to lift the trophy and earn the right to compete in three major championships in 2026.

The previous champions — Clarisa Temelo (Mexico, 2024), Ela Anacona (Argentina, 2023), Valentina Rossi (Argentina, 2022) and Valery Plata (Colombia, 2021) — have set the bar high. In this new edition, the winner of the 2025 Women’s Amateur Latin America championship will receive exemptions into three majors next year: the AIG Women’s Open (Royal Lytham & St Annes, England), The Chevron Championship (The Club at Carlton Woods, USA) and The Amundi Evian Championship (Evian Resort Golf Club, France).

Among the leading contenders, several young players arrive in Mexico following exceptional 2025 seasons in the amateur and collegiate circuits, firmly establishing themselves as title favourites.

Leading Contenders

María José Marín (Colombia) – WAGR: 8 | Third appearance at the WALA

The Colombian returns to the championship after finishing runner-up in the first two editions. At just 19, she is the highest-ranked Latin American player in the World Amateur Golf Ranking® (WAGR®) and enjoyed an outstanding season competing as Junior for the University of Arkansas (Razorbacks). She won the NCAA Division I Women’s National Championship, played in the Augusta National Women’s Amateur for the third time and competed in two majors in 2025 — the US Women’s Open and The Amundi Evian Championship. She also claimed the South American Amateur Championship title.

Clarisa Temelo (Mexico) – WAGR: 62 | Fifth appearance at the WALA

The defending champion and home favourite at PGA Riviera Maya arrives with high expectations. In her Sophomore year at the University of Arkansas, she finished runner-up at the NCAA Columbus Regional and third at both the Purdue Puerto Rico Classic and The Blessings Collegiate Invitational. Following her 2024 WALA victory, she played in two majors this season — The Chevron Championship and The Amundi Evian Championship — as well as the MEXICO Riviera Maya Open on the LPGA Tour.

Emily Odwin (Barbados) – WAGR: 133 | Fifth appearance at the WALA

Runner-up at the WALA in 2024, Odwin made history this year by becoming the first golfer from Barbados to qualify for a major, earning her place in the US Women’s Open. In her final year as a Senior at Southern Methodist University, she recorded five top-ten finishes, came second at the Caribbean Amateur Golf Championship and sixth at the Australian Women’s Amateur Championship. She also finished 15th at the European Ladies’ Amateur Championship and competed in The Women’s Amateur Championship.

Lousiane Gauthier (Uruguay) – WAGR: 365 | Third appearance at the WALA

The 22-year-old Uruguayan enjoyed an excellent collegiate season in the United States of America. In her Senior year at Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU), she captured two titles — the Sea Best Intercollegiate at San Jose and the Atlantic Sun Women’s Golf Championship — finished fourth at the NCAA Lubbock Regional and eighth at the Spring Break Shootout. She also became the first FGCU player to qualify for the NCAA Division I Women’s Golf Championship and won the Uruguay National Match Play Championship.

Elzbieta Aldana (Guatemala) – WAGR: 458 | Second appearance at the WALA

At just 18, she has already achieved major milestones, including victories at the 54 Hole LPGA Junior Open and the Central American Stableford Championship. In 2025, she claimed gold at the Junior Pan American Games, silver at the Central American Games and finished runner-up at the Copa Los Volcanes. She placed fifth at the WALA in 2024.

Others to Watch

Malena Castro (Argentina) – WAGR: 336 | Fourth appearance at the WALA

The 19-year-old is a Freshman at Baylor University. She earned two collegiate top-ten finishes and placed fifth at the 2025 Junior Pan American Games. Her best WALA result was 21st in 2024, a year in which she also helped Argentina win the Copa Los Andes and captured her national Abierto de Damas (Ladies Open).

Lauren Grinberg (Brazil) – WAGR: 218 | Second appearance at the WALA

The 25-year-old Brazilian has had an excellent season on the WAGR® circuit, capturing five titles and eight top-ten finishes. She represented Brazil at the World Amateur Team Championships (WATC) – Espirito Santo Trophy in Singapore and finished 17th at the WALA 2024.

María Salinas (Peru) – WAGR: 110 | Second appearance at the WALA

A highly accomplished amateur, the 36-year-old Peruvian finished fifth at the WALA 2024. This season, she recorded one victory and seven top-five finishes in WAGR® events and helped Peru win the 2025 Copa Los Andes.

Antonia Matte (Chile) – WAGR: 105 | First appearance at the WALA

The 22-year-old Chilean boasts an impressive junior career, finishing runner-up at events such as the Junior Orange Bowl International, the Women’s Western Amateur Championship and the ANNIKA Invitational Latin America. This year she captured four local WAGR® titles and represented Chile in her second Espirito Santo Trophy at the WATC in Singapore.

In addition to invitations to three majors, the 2025 WALA winner at PGA Riviera Maya will receive an exemption to The Women’s Amateur Championship, alongside the next three best-placed finishers. The top three age-eligible players will also earn invitations to the Hilton Grand Vacations ANNIKA Invitational presented by Rolex, as well as the 2026 South American Amateur Championship.

With a field more competitive than ever, the fifth edition of the Women’s Amateur Latin America promises an unforgettable week at PGA Riviera Maya, where talent, experience and the rising stars of Latin American women’s golf will compete on the region’s most prestigious amateur stage.

Más Imagenes

Archivos adjuntos