Temelo Maintains Lead in Peru at Halfway of Women’s Amateur Latin America

Mexico’s Clarisa Temelo stayed in front at the halfway stage of the Women’s Amateur Latin America championship (WALA) in Peru.

The championship, presented by The R&A and the ANNIKA Foundation, is taking place at Lima Golf Club, which celebrates its 100th anniversary this year.

Temelo followed up her opening 65 with a one-under-par 70 and a 36-hole total of seven-under 135 for a four-stroke lead over Emily Odwin from Barbados.

Having led by five shots overnight, bogeys at the 6th and 7th could have hindered Temelo’s progress. But in the glorious conditions, the 18-year-old University of Arkansas student responded with three birdies in four holes from the 12th.

The top-ranked player this week – at 136th on the World Amateur Golf Ranking® (WAGR®) – heads the 60-player field representing 12 countries in the region going into the weekend.

Temelo said, “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.”

Odwin, the only player from Barbados competing, signed for a three-under 68 to reach three-under-par 139 for the championship.

Odwin is making her fourth appearance in the WALA and has enjoyed two top-ten finishes. The 20-year-old is again impressing and recorded four birdies on the front nine on day two. Dropped shots at the 16th and 17th frustrated the Southern Methodist University Texas student but she responded with a brilliant 76-yard pitch to a foot on the 18th for another birdie.

“I talked to my coaches last night and we came up with two words for today – conviction and attention,” stated Odwin. “I really tried to do that with everything I did. On the 18th I was coming off two bogeys and I wanted to get something back. That was the overall theme to being committed today.

“The more you play on these stages the more comfortable you feel. Nerves play a big factor out here, especially with so much on the line. Having played in this championship the last three years, it helps a lot. As unique and as important it is that I’m here as the only player from Barbados, I do wish we had more representation from the Caribbean. If me playing in these events helps then that’s great.”

Mexico’s Cory Lopez, another University of Arkansas student, sits in third place on one-under-par 141 after following up her opening 73 with a fine 68 that featured four birdies.

“I was able to give myself more birdie chances today,” said Lopez. “I stayed patient and had some opportunities that I made. My putting speed was pretty good. I’m having fun and enjoying it so I’ll just keep trying to do the same things and play smart. I’m excited for the weekend.”

Elzbieta Aldana, one of two players from Guatemala teeing up, has shone on her first WALA start to be well-placed. Aldana, 17, is on level par 142 in fourth place after a 69 in round two. Defending champion Ela Anacona from Argentina fought back from her first-round 75 to surge to fifth spot after a 68 for a one-over 143 total.

Aldana added, “My putting was really great, I was really trusting with it. I’ve been practising my short game a lot so it was good to see it pay off. But it’s the driver that is key on this course, as there are a lot bunkers and the fairways are quite tight.

“I’m happy to be a young player from Guatemala playing in this championship and hopefully I’m someone to look up to.”

Maria Salinas, 35, is the leading player from Peru, carding two rounds of 72 for a two-over-par total of 144 for a share of sixth.

The champion this week will play alongside leading names from women´s professional golf in three major championships next year – the AIG Women’s Open, The Chevron Championship and The Amundi Evian Championship.

Annika Sörenstam will enjoy the action at Lima Golf Club from Saturday, as well as hosting a golf clinic, as the championship reaches new audiences being staged in Peru for the first time this week.

“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.”

The Women’s Amateur Latin America championship presented by The R&A and the ANNIKA Foundation follows the successful introduction of the Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific championship by The R&A in 2018.

Its aim is to strengthen the pathway to the very highest levels of golf by providing a platform for the region’s best women’s amateur golfers to compete against each other, with 27 players in the field this week aged 18 and younger and 41 players having previously competed in the championship.

For more information and the round two leaderboard, please visit walagolf.com