María José Marín returns to the Women’s Amateur Latin America championship in 2026 as defending champion and with plenty of momentum, following one of the most significant seasons of her young and successful amateur career. “Majo” will be the highest-ranked player in the World Amateur Golf Ranking® among the 60 competitors from across the region who will contest the sixth edition of the championship from 19–22 November at El Pulté Golf, Guatemala.
“I’m really excited to return to the WALA after last years’ experience, which taught me a lot and gave me so many positive memories,” said Marín.
“I’ve been paying close attention to my practice at every tournament, trying to learn from each experience and find ways to apply those lessons to my game. The WALA definitely changed my career.”
After winning the WALA in 2025, the Colombian took her name to some of the biggest stages in international golf and turned her 2026 season into one of the most memorable campaigns at this level.
The defining moment of her year came in April at the Augusta National Women’s Amateur (ANWA). After the first two rounds at Champions Retreat, Majo earned the opportunity to play the final round at Augusta National Golf Club, one of the most iconic venues in world golf. There, she carded an outstanding 68 (-4) to finish on 202 (-14) and claim the title by four strokes.
The victory was historic, as Marín became the first Latin American to win the Augusta National Women’s Amateur. Her triumph generated widespread international media coverage, both in Colombia and across Latin America, where her victory was recognised as one of the major achievements in women’s golf in the region.
But Marín’s season still had major challenges ahead, particularly in the major championships. In June, she produced an outstanding performance at the U. Women’s Open at The Riviera Country Club. With a total of 282 (-2), the Colombian finished tied for eighth.
In addition to these results, the 20-year-old had the opportunity to compete in two more women’s majors thanks to the title she won at the 2025 WALA at PGA Riviera Maya. In July, she played in The Amundi Evian Championship at Evian Resort Golf Club, France, where she completed all four rounds with scores of 74, 66, 71 and 73 for a total of 284 (E), finishing in 57th place. Reflecting on her experience at the Amundi Evian Championship, Marín spoke about the challenge of playing Evian Resort Golf Club.
“It was quite a challenging course that really exposes certain areas of your game. If your game isn’t quite there, it lets you know,” she explained.
A few weeks later, Marín arrived at the AIG Women’s Open at Royal Lytham & St Annes in England. Competing in one of the most prestigious majors on the calendar gave her the opportunity to take on one of the great challenges in international golf: a true British links course, with conditions very different from those normally experienced by players from Latin America. The wind, weather, firm fairways and demanding greens made Royal Lytham & St Annes a test of adaptation and added a hugely valuable experience to Majo’s season.
“I’d heard a lot about what it’s like to play links golf, but you don’t realise just how difficult it is until you’re out there playing. Being able to compete in these majors is a great privilege,” she explained.
Marín’s 2026 season saw the 2025 WALA champion establish herself among the leading figures in international women’s amateur golf. Her performances at Augusta National and in the majors marked a hugely significant season in her career.
As a reflection of her outstanding year, she reached fourth in the World Amateur Golf Ranking® (WAGR®), the highest position of her career at that point. Her progress also once again highlighted the WALA’s role as a platform for the development and international progression of women’s talent from the region.
Organised by The R&A and the ANNIKA Foundation, the Women’s Amateur Latin America championship aims to promote the development of women’s golf in the region and create opportunities for the leading amateur golfers from Latin America and the Caribbean. The WALA champion receives invitations to compete in three majors: the AIG Women’s Open, The Chevron Championship and The Amundi Evian Championship.
The active involvement of Annika Sörenstam, one of the most influential figures in the history of women’s golf, is also a source of inspiration for the players, as reflected in Marín’s own experience.
She added, “Annika has played a vital part in my career and has been a role model for me since I was very young. She inspires me, and I think she does the same for so many other players. She’s an example to us all.
“I remember receiving a video directly from her inviting me to play. It felt like a dream. I was screaming around the house and crying. It was incredible.” .
“I was lucky enough to have her there when I won the WALA and again when I won at Augusta, on the 18th hole. Her support, along with everything she has done for women’s golf, has inspired me to dream bigger, stay motivated and keep pushing myself every day,” Marín added.
Now, one year after her victory and looking ahead to this year’s championship in Guatemala; she is eager to discover a new country while preparing for the challenge at El Pulté Golf.
“I’ve heard it’s a beautiful country and I’m looking forward to exploring Guatemala City, learning about the culture and enjoying the experience with my friends. I’ve also heard the course is quite challenging, so from a golf perspective, I know I need to start preparing now,” said Marin.
“Majo” will return to the championship that marked the beginning of an unforgettable season, hoping to achieve yet more.
