Mexico’s Clarisa Temelo has tightened her grip on the leaderboard at the halfway point of the Women’s Amateur Latin America championship (WALA), held at the historic Lima Golf Club in Peru, which is marking its centenary this year.
Temelo, an 18-year-old standout from the University of Arkansas, built on her scorching opening round of 65 with a steady one-under-par 70, giving her a commanding 36-hole total of seven-under 135.
That score places her four strokes ahead of Barbados’ Emily Odwin, setting the stage for an exciting weekend.
Despite a pair of early bogeys on the 6th and 7th holes that threatened to derail her momentum, Temelo showcased her resilience.
She responded with three birdies in a four-hole stretch starting at the 12th, taking full advantage of the pristine conditions at Lima Golf Club.
Ranked 136th in the World Amateur Golf Ranking® (WAGR®), Temelo is the top-ranked player in a competitive 60-strong field representing 12 countries across Latin America.
Emily Odwin Shines for Barbados
Odwin, the sole representative from Barbados, continued her strong showing with a three-under 68 on Friday, bringing her to three-under-par 139.
The 20-year-old, a student at Southern Methodist University in Texas, is no stranger to WALA, with two top-ten finishes already to her name.
Odwin’s round featured four front-nine birdies, though dropped shots at the 16th and 17th added some frustration.
However, a dazzling 76-yard pitch to within a foot of the hole on the 18th secured her a closing birdie, keeping her firmly in contention.
Mexican Trio in the Mix
Another University of Arkansas student, Cory Lopez of Mexico, holds third place at one-under 141.
Lopez rebounded from a first-round 73 with a stellar 68, highlighted by four birdies.
She is joined by her compatriot, Elzbieta Aldana, who impressed on her WALA debut. The 17-year-old from Guatemala shot a second-round 69 to sit at level-par 142 in fourth place.
Defending champion Ela Anacona from Argentina made a spirited comeback after an opening 75, climbing into fifth place with a second-round 68 for a one-over-par total of 143.
Meanwhile, Peru’s Maria Salinas, the host nation’s top contender, carded back-to-back rounds of 72, placing her in a share of sixth at two-over 144.
High Stakes and Major Opportunities
The stakes couldn’t be higher for the field. This year’s champion will earn coveted spots in three of women’s golf’s biggest events: the AIG Women’s Open, The Chevron Championship, and The Amundi Evian Championship in 2024.
Clarisa Temelo, Mexico (-7) “I started the round with a lot of pars and then I made two three-putts that ended up in bogeys.
I knew I was hitting good shots and trusted my game on the back nine to make some birdies.
I wasn’t looking at the leaderboards but I’m happy to see another Mexican player and from the University of Arkansas, Cory Lopez, near the top.
In Arkansas, we have a really solid programme. I’ll try to stay calm this weekend and take one shot at a time.”
The tournament has also brought golf legend Annika Sörenstam to Lima. The ten-time major champion and driving force behind the event will host a golf clinic on Saturday, further raising the profile of the championship, which is being held in Peru for the first time.
“It has been amazing to see this championship grow into what it is today,” said Sörenstam, the ten-time major winner.
“Our partnership with The R&A has been instrumental in helping us support talented female golfers around the world, but especially in Latin America. I look forward to seeing everyone there.”
Building on a Global Legacy
The Women’s Amateur Latin America championship, presented by The R&A and the ANNIKA Foundation, is modelled after the successful Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific championship, introduced by The R&A in 2018.
With 27 players aged 18 or younger and 41 participants returning from previous editions, the event continues to provide an essential platform for the region’s top female amateurs to compete and shine on an international stage.
As the championship heads into the weekend, all eyes are on Clarisa Temelo, who has her sights set firmly on the title.
Will her dominant form hold, or will challengers like Emily Odwin and Cory Lopez make their move?
Stay tuned for what promises to be a thrilling conclusion to this prestigious event.
For more information, please visit the championship website.
