Qualifying Standards

Qualifying Standards

The 2027 Latin America Amateur Championship (LAAC) will have a field of 108 male players.

The field will be selected as follows:

  • 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, and 2026 Winners of the Latin America Amateur Championship.

  • From the 2026 Latin America Amateur Championship, the ten (10) lowest scorers and anyone tying for 10th place.

  • The top player from each eligible IGF National Federation Member country in Latin America, plus an additional four players from the host country, as ranked on World Amateur Golf Ranking® / WAGR® as of 6 September 2026 (Week 36) published on 9 September 2026. If an eligible federation does not have a player ranked on WAGR, that federation may nominate one player, with an established World Handicap System (WHS) Handicap Page 3 of 5 Index® not exceeding 5.4, subject to LAAC Executive Committee approval, to fill one position. If players from criteria 1 or 2 above are the top WAGR-ranked player from their country, or the top five (5) players from the host country who qualify here, their country will not receive an additional invitation under this criteria section 3.

  • The remainder of the first 100 positions in the field will be filled by taking the next ranked players from WAGR as published on 9 September 2026. The maximum total number of players from any country, except the host country, will be eight (8). The maximum number of players from the host country will be ten (10).

  • The LAAC Executive Committee, at its sole discretion, will complete the field, including filling declined positions in the field. In doing so, the country maximums may be extended. The LAAC Executive Committee reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to withdraw an invitation for any reason including but not limited to disciplinary matters, the player’s standing with their National Federation, anti-doping sanctions, performance considerations, or based on conduct or behavior exhibited by a player that the LAAC Executive Committee determines to be contrary to the best interest of the Championship. Federations are not entitled to withhold any invitation of any player who qualifies through this entry criteria without the direct authority of the LAAC Executive Committee.

It is the national federation’s responsibility to review and verify the eligibility of their top WAGR-ranked players before 7 September 2026. Federations should notify the LAAC Executive Committee before this date if any of the following conditions exist within the ranking:

  • A player’s national indication in WAGR is incorrect or will be changed

  • A player listed for a country is not known to that federation

  • A player listed for a country has turned professional

  • Any other similar circumstance that could alter the federation’s eligible player list

If one of these conditions exists within the ranking, federations should immediately advise the LAAC Executive Committee by contacting Victoria Lawrie at vlawrie.laacgolf@gmail.com. If not advised in advance of 7 September 2026, the federation’s invitation list could be affected.

Amateur Status and National Representation

In order to participate in the Latin America Amateur Championship, a competitor must meet all three of the following eligibility guidelines:

  • Amateur Status – Each player must remain an amateur in accordance with the Rules of Amateur Status, as approved by R&A Rules Limited and the USGA throughout the duration of the Championship.

  • Nationality – Each player must meet the following nationality requirements in order to represent one of the IGF Member National Federations in Latin America.

    1. A player may represent any country provided he holds a current and valid passport from that country. In the case of Puerto Rico, the player must be able to show birthright in that Commonwealth.

    2. If a player is selected or nominated to represent an IGF recognized country/territory that does not issue its own passport, he must appeal for inclusion in the Championship and provide requested documentation to the LAAC Executive Committee, who will make a final determination on eligibility.

    3. If a player has represented a country/territory in the LAAC, in continental or regional games or in world or regional championships recognized by the World Amateur Golf Ranking, he may not represent another country/territory for a period of four years. (Four years must have passed between the final day of the previous competition and the first day of the LAAC.)

  • World Amateur Golf Ranking – If ranked, each player must be listed under the country/territory he intends to represent in the World Amateur Golf Ranking.