Staff WriterThe Women’s Amateur Latin America championship never disappoints, and this year Colombia’s María José Marín decided to settle her unfinished business once and for all. The 19-year-old finally claimed the title after a heart-pounding play-off at PGA Riviera Maya, a victory that felt as overdue as it was hard-earned.
Marín, having watched a four-shot cushion evaporate across the closing stretch, steadied herself just long enough to fend off Barbados’ Emily Odwin on the third extra hole. Odwin, 21, finished runner-up for the second straight year—an agonising trend that suggests she’s close, but not quite close enough.
Presented by The R&A and the ANNIKA Foundation, the event has a habit of teasing Marín. She finished second in 2021 and 2022, then missed out entirely in 2023 and 2024. This time she refused to blink.
“Third time’s the charm for me in this championship. I think that was in my head all day today! Being back after two years and breaking the curse of coming short, I’m really grateful and so happy,” she said afterwards, still processing the weight of the moment.
“It was an amazing week on the golf course, I completely loved it. PGA Riviera Maya is an amazing course and I’m really grateful that we got to play here. I’m just really happy that it turned out in my favour. Maybe it was God’s will, I don’t know, but I’m really happy.”
A Final Day with More Twists Than a Telenovela
Conditions were hot, breezy and designed to expose nerves—and both players obliged. Marín signed for a one-over 73, highlighted by a sensational hole-out eagle at the 9th. Odwin posted a steady level-par 72 and the pair tied at seven-under 281.
When they replayed the 18th twice in extra time, both players had chances to end it. Odwin missed a short putt on the first play-off hole, holed one on the second, and by the time they reached the par-4 10th, the tension was suffocating. Then came the moment that split them: Odwin’s approach from a bunker splashed into the water. Marín held firm for her par, and the Colombian celebration that followed was immediate, loud, and long overdue.
“I was under pressure and I was really, really nervous. I’ve been nervous before but this time was one of most nervous I’ve ever been because you can see the prizes that the champion gets. I tried to stay calm and breathe through it but it was really hard. My second shot on the 10th was the key to finishing it off.”
Colombia’s Rising Star Just Keeps Rising
Marín arrived as the top-ranked player in the field—eighth in the World Amateur Golf Ranking®—and stuck the landing. With Annika Sörenstam watching on, she became only the second Colombian to win the title, following Valery Plata’s triumph four years ago.
She’s had a storming year representing the University of Arkansas, winning the NCAA Division I Women’s National Championship and competing in two majors in 2025. Now she’s earned exemptions into three more in 2026: the AIG Women’s Open, The Chevron Championship and The Amundi Evian Championship.
“It was an incredible opportunity to play in two majors this year and I really wanted to do it again. I’m excited to play the AIG Women’s Open, The Chevron Championship and The Amundi Evian Championship. I’ve never been to England and look forward to it. England has some great players like Lottie Woad and Charley Hull.”
Alongside Odwin and fellow Colombian Luana Valero, she also secured a spot in next year’s Women’s Amateur Championship at Muirfield.
The Sunday Duel
With Marín and Odwin miles ahead of the rest, Sunday turned into a straight fight. Marín bogeyed the 1st, Odwin birdied, and the gloves were off.
Odwin—who earlier this year became the first Barbadian golfer to qualify for a major—slipped with a bogey at 7. They were tied walking onto the 9th tee, where chaos erupted. Odwin’s tee shot found the trees, leading to a double bogey. Marín promptly spun a 97-yard wedge past the flag and watched it zip back into the hole. A four-shot swing, delivered with flair.
But nothing at the Women’s Amateur Latin America championship is ever simple. Marín stretched her lead back to four with a birdie at 13, then watched it fall apart. Odwin birdied 15, Marín bogeyed 17, and when the Colombian hit her drive behind a tree on 18, Odwin forced the play-off with a nerveless six-footer.
The duel lasted until the third extra hole, when Odwin’s errant bunker-to-water moment finally broke the deadlock.
Strongest Field Yet
Valero finished tied for third at two-under alongside Chile’s Ameila Ruiz Topali. Puerto Rico’s Krishny Elwin was fifth on level par, while defending champion Clarisa Temelo from Mexico tied for 10th on eight-over.
This fifth staging at PGA Riviera Maya—already decorated as Mexico’s Best Golf Course at the World Golf Awards—featured the event’s strongest field to date: 60 competitors from 14 nations, bolstered by the presence of Annika and Mexican icon Lorena Ochoa.
The Women’s Amateur Latin America championship continues to serve as a launchpad for the region’s brightest talents, mirroring the Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific model introduced in 2018. With an average field age under 20 and 21 debutants this year, the event’s future looks every bit as promising as those it showcases.
Marín may have needed three attempts, a few scares and an extra hole or three, but she finally owns the trophy she’s been chasing. Judging by her form—and her nerve—she may not be done collecting them.
