BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — Justin Hastings of the Cayman Islands built a four-shot lead with an 8-under 64, then held on to win the Latin American Amateur Championship in a marathon of 36 holes on Saturday that sent him to the Masters, US Open and British Open.
Hastings, a senior at San Diego State, becomes the second Cayman Islands player in the last four years to win the Latin American Amateur Championship, joining Aaron Jarvis.
Patrick Sparks of Peru staged a daring rally in the fourth round and finally caught Hastings with a birdie on the 16th hole. But he three-putted for bogey on the par-3 17th at Pilar Golf Club, and Hastings finished with a par to win by one.
Hastings closed with a 72, while Sparks had a 68.
“To have two Cayman Islands champions, we have 27 holes there, limited, super competitive golf,” Hastings said. “So seeing him do what he did a few years ago really inspired the whole island, inspired me and taught us that we can compete here and we can do these big things.
“To be able to follow in his footsteps a few years later and achieve this is super amazing.”
Tournament officials decided to begin the final round immediately after the end of the third round due to poor weather forecasts for Sunday and a one-hour delay due to storms. They finished, and everything was decided.
Sparks, who played and is now an assistant at North Carolina-Wilmington, cut the four-shot deficit in half after three holes and was one shot heading to the back nine.
Hastings built the lead to three shots after Sparks made bogey at the par-5 10th and Hastings birdied No. 12. But there was a two-shot swing at the 13th — Hastings took a bogey and Sparks made a birdie – and it was a race. until the end.
Sparks, as a finalist, is exempt from the final stage of qualifying for the US Open and British Open this year.
“I learned a lot. Being with the leaders, it’s a different type of pressure, knowing what’s at stake, three majors,” he said. “It’s not something you’re used to and it’s not something you see every day being in this position, I’m very grateful.
Hastings, who reached the Latin American amateur level at age 14, played against Royal Portrush (site of the British Open) in a British Boys event. He was looking forward to Augusta National.
“I grew up being a huge Masters fan. Every Thursday when the Masters was on, I was sick from school to watch the first day,” he said. “Just sitting here in this position and thinking I’m going to be in this field is something that hasn’t really hit me.
“But man, am I excited for this.”
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