The Latin America Amateur Championship will debut in Lima, Peru — at the historic and century-old Lima Golf Club from January 15-18 — continuing its mission of discovering and showcasing the region’s top amateur talent on the world’s biggest stages. The best amateurs from up to 29 countries will compete for a chance to reach that spotlight where success can open the door to career-defining opportunities, just as it did for Justin Hastings after his victory at Pilar Golf last year.
Across its first 10 editions, the Championship has crowned players whose careers were transformed through the exposure and exemptions that come with the title, from strong performances in elite amateur events to successful transitions into professional circuits. A look at the list of champions reveals names who today compete, and win, on major tours, reaffirming the Latin America Amateur’s role as a springboard to the next level.
Since its inaugural edition, the Championship has been a genuine launching pad: the winner receives exemptions into some of the world’s most prestigious majors, including the Masters, The Open and the U.S. Open. A victory turns into a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to accelerate a career.
Among the 10 champions, Chile’s Joaquín Niemann stands as perhaps the clearest example of how the Latin America Amateur can propel a career. His 2018 triumph marked the beginning of a steady rise: Niemann broke into the top tier of international golf, earned his place on the PGA Tour, and secured his first PGA Tour win in 2019 at A Military Tribute at The Greenbrier. In 2022, Tiger Woods handed him the Genesis Invitational trophy at Riviera Country Club after Niemann outplayed some of the world’s best. He later excelled on LIV Golf with multiple victories.
The 27-year-old Chilean has now played in 26 majors, and his professional career stands as one of the region’s most prominent success stories. The Latin America Amateur was not the sole driver of his ascent, but it undeniably provided a platform that eased his path to global stages and international exposure.
Last year’s edition at Pilar Golf (Buenos Aires) added another pivotal chapter to the Championship’s legacy: Hastings of the Cayman Islands captured the title, earning the exemptions awarded to the champion. His victory opened the door to three majors and several starts on the 2025 PGA Tour. After his win, Hastings not only traveled to Augusta as a Masters invitee and to The Open as an exemption, but also delivered a standout performance at the U.S. Open at Oakmont to become the only amateur to make the cut. He also made the most of his PGA Tour starts, posting a T-13 at the Mexico Open and two additional top-30 finishes in seven starts. His 2025 season illustrates how a victory at the Latin America Amateur can accelerate both experience and visibility for a rising talent.
Beyond the most recognizable names, the full list of winners reveals a clear pattern: the Championship has consistently placed players from across the region within the world’s top tours, strengthening both the competitiveness and the structure of golf in the region. This year’s event in Lima will once again offer emerging stars a chance to write their own chapter.
After a decade, the LAAC has proven to be far more than an amateur championship: it is a generator of opportunities, capable of turning victories into gateways to professional golf and the majors. With examples like Niemann and the recent breakthrough of Hastings, the Championship promises to be another showcase of how one week of golf can change an entire career.
