With just one week remaining until the 11th edition of the Latin America Amateur Championship tees off, the spotlight is increasingly focused on the local players, who will have a historic opportunity to compete on home soil in the most prestigious amateur championship in the region.
From January 15-18, Lima Golf Club will host Peru’s top amateurs as they look to capitalize not only on their intimate knowledge of the course, but also on the emotional lift of competing in front of family, friends and home fans. At the same time, they will need to manage the pressure that comes with playing for the most coveted prizes in amateur golf. The winner of the 2026 Latin America Amateur will earn an invitation to compete in the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club, along with exemptions into The 154th Open at Royal Birkdale and the 126th U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills.
Peru’s contingent will feature a blend of emerging talent and competitive experience, all facing the challenge—and opportunity—of making the most of a venue they know inside and out. Rafael Claux, Tiago Ledgard, Christian Muñoz, Patrick Sparks, Mauricio Tello and Jaime Yzaga will be tasked with defending the host nation’s colors in January.
“The LAAC is a tournament that treats you like a professional, and the competitive level is extremely high—it’s a true benchmark against the best amateurs in the region,” said Sparks, reflecting on the Championship’s impact on his career. “This event opened many doors for me. Finishing runner-up last year gave me opportunities to play in tournaments I never imagined, including final qualifying for The Open and the U.S. Open, as well as competing in The Amateur Championship. The experience I gained is priceless.”
Looking ahead to a new edition, the 2025 runner-up shared his approach: “I’ve prepared very well this year and I’m trying not to set a specific result as my goal. It’s a tournament that comes with a lot of pressure, so my focus will be on managing expectations, concentrating on my game, and letting the week unfold.”
Yzaga echoed a similar mindset: “I’ve been preparing for a long time—working hard at university, training extensively in the gym, and talking constantly with my coaches and teammates. I can’t wait to get to Lima. I feel I need to set expectations aside and focus on what I can control. I know that when I place too much expectation on myself, the pressure increases, so I’ll try to enjoy the experience and let the results come on their own.”
Beyond competition, the young player—who returns to the LAAC after competing in the 2023 edition in Puerto Rico—highlighted the Championship’s broader significance and the role of family support in his development. “It will be very important to show young people in Peru how incredible it is to be part of a tournament like the Latin America Amateur Championship. My father has helped me understand how to compete, how to behave on the golf course, and how to handle different situations, especially when things don’t go your way. He’s taught me so much, and I’m very grateful for his advice.”
Meet the Local Players
Patrick Sparks
One of the most recognizable names in Peruvian amateur golf today. The 24-year-old will compete in his fourth Latin America Amateur and enters as the Championship’s reigning runner-up—the best result ever achieved by a Peruvian golfer in this Championship. Sparks also boasts notable performances in international events and U.S. collegiate competitions, having graduated from the University of North Carolina in 2024.
Mauricio Tello
Just 18 years old, Tello will make his third appearance at the Latin America Amateur. In recent years, he has captured multiple World Amateur Golf Ranking events, including Peru’s National Stroke Play Junior Championship. He represented his country at the South American Team Championship Copa Los Andes in Ecuador and is currently a sophomore at the University of North Carolina.
Jaime Yzaga
At 19, the son of renowned former Peruvian professional tennis player Jaime Yzaga arrives at the Latin America Amateur with international experience and domestic titles. In 2025, he won a World Amateur Golf Ranking event in Peru, finished third at the National Stroke Play Championship and represented his country at the Copa Los Andes in Ecuador. He is currently studying in the United States as a freshman at Ohio State University.
Rafael Claux
The 30-year-old will make his Latin America Amateur debut in 2026, backed by a strong amateur résumé. In 2025, he claimed two World Amateur Golf Ranking events, including Peru’s National Stroke Play Championship, and has been a multiple-time national amateur champion—firmly establishing himself as one of the leading figures in the country’s amateur circuit.
Tiago Ledgard
Also making his Championship debut, Ledgard represents the next generation of Peruvian golf. At just 18, he has already made his mark in junior competition, highlighted by victories at the National Amateur Championship and a Mixed Team Gold Medal at the Junior Pan American Games, as well as capturing the 2024 Peruvian National Junior Championship.
Christian Muñoz
At 24 years old, Muñoz enjoyed a standout 2025 season, winning two World Amateur Golf Ranking events and earning his first appearance at the Latin America Amateur. He also represented Peru at the South American Team Championship Copa Los Andes in Ecuador.
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The path being followed by Peru’s current players is built upon a strong recent legacy. In past editions of the Latin America Amateur Championship, golfers such as Julián Périco (six appearances, four top-10 finishes) and Luis Fernando Barco (four appearances, third place in 2019) left a lasting mark with standout individual performances, solidifying their status as key references for Peruvian amateur golf on the international stage. Their achievements not only elevated the country’s profile within the Championship but also inspired the next generation.
“Julián and Fernando are examples for Peruvian golf—the success they’ve had as amateurs and professionals makes them true role models,” said Sparks. Yzaga added, “What they’ve accomplished is incredible, and they’re role models for my generation. I hope one day to reach what they’ve achieved.”
Next week, all eyes will be on Peru and its six representatives, poised to be protagonists on the course and ambassadors of the country’s growing golf scene before a global audience. Anticipation is building not only among the players themselves, but also among Peruvian fans, who dream of seeing a homegrown golfer lift the Latin America Amateur trophy for the first time.
