Oliva Pinto fires 64 to earn one-stroke lead at Latin America Amateur
LIMA, Peru – Argentina’s Segundo Oliva Pinto surged into the lead going into the final round of the 2026 Latin America Amateur at Lima Golf Club.
He made seven birdies on his way to a third-round six-under 64.
At five under par for the week, Oliva Pinto leads Brazil’s Eduardo Matarazzo and Argentina’s Andy Schonbaum by one stroke through 54 holes.
“I was pretty far behind when I started [the day],” said Oliva Pinto, who made it clear before the Championship that his one and only goal this week was to win. “I was trying to pull my thought into making good swings and doing my own thing. Some days, you pull that off and it's a good result. Today that was the case.”
Oliva Pinto birdied Nos. 2, 5, 7 and 8 on the front nine before a bogey at No. 9. He capped a clean back nine – including three consecutive birdies at Nos. 12, 13 and 14 – by getting up and down for par at Nos. 17 and 18, the two toughest holes on the course.
“17, 18 was pretty cool. Getting those two up and downs felt pretty nice,” said Oliva Pinto. “I feel particularly good about having an opportunity tomorrow, after having an over-par first day. I feel like being here is a really good position. I'm excited to see what's going to happen.”
Oliva Pinto, a 26-year-old, is making his sixth Championship start and has never finished outside the top 15. He finished T-3 a year ago after being in contention in his home country. The former University of Arkansas player earned co-medalist honors in the 2024 U.S. Mid-Amateur at Kinloch Golf Club.
Schonbaum held the lead for much of the day until a double bogey at 11. The 34-year-old recovered with birdies at 13 and 14 but faltered on 18 when his tee shot was blocked out by a bush and he could only manage another double to fall back to four under.
Matarazzo carded his second consecutive round of 66 to climb into contention after a four-over 74 in the first round.
The Brazilian is seeking to become the first player from his country to win the Latin America Amateur, while Oliva Pinto or Schonbaum would be the third from Argentina.
Countries represented inside the top 10 include Argentina, Brazil, Venezuela, Mexico, Paraguay, Colombia and Bolivia.
