LIMA, Peru – Argentina’s Segundo Oliva Pinto surged into the lead going into the ultimate spherical of the 2026 Latin America Beginner at Lima Golf Membership.
He made seven birdies on his option to a third-round six-under 64.
Leaderboard
At 5 beneath par for the week, Oliva Pinto leads Brazil’s Eduardo Matarazzo and Argentina’s Andy Schonbaum by one stroke by means of 54 holes.
“I used to be fairly far behind after I began [the day],” mentioned Oliva Pinto, who made it clear earlier than the Championship that his one and solely purpose this week was to win. “I used to be attempting to tug my thought into making good swings and doing my very own factor. Some days, you pull that off and it is a good outcome. Right now that was the case.”
Oliva Pinto birdied Nos. 2, 5, 7 and eight on the entrance 9 earlier than a bogey at No. 9. He capped a clear again 9 – together with three consecutive birdies at Nos. 12, 13 and 14 – by getting up and down for par at Nos. 17 and 18, the 2 hardest holes on the course.
“17, 18 was fairly cool. Getting these two up and downs felt fairly good,” mentioned Oliva Pinto. “I really feel significantly good about having a chance tomorrow, after having an over-par first day. I really feel like being here’s a actually good place. I am excited to see what is going on to occur.”
Oliva Pinto, a 26-year-old, is making his sixth Championship begin and has by no means completed exterior the highest 15. He completed T-3 a 12 months in the past after being in competition in his house nation. The previous College of Arkansas participant earned co-medalist honors within the 2024 U.S. Mid-Beginner at Kinloch Golf Membership.
Schonbaum held the lead for a lot of the day till a double bogey at 11. The 34-year-old recovered with birdies at 13 and 14 however faltered on 18 when his tee shot was blocked out by a bush and he might solely handle one other double to fall again to 4 beneath.
Matarazzo carded his second consecutive spherical of 66 to climb into competition after a four-over 74 within the first spherical.
The Brazilian is looking for to turn out to be the primary participant from his nation to win the Latin America Beginner, whereas Oliva Pinto or Schonbaum could be the third from Argentina.
Nations represented inside the highest 10 embrace Argentina, Brazil, Venezuela, Mexico, Paraguay, Colombia and Bolivia.
