BUENOS AIRES, Argentina — Justin Hastings of the Cayman Islands was enjoying so effectively Friday he felt nothing might cease him within the Latin American Beginner Championship. A two-hour storm delay did, however he birdied the 18th for a 7-under 65 and a share of the lead with Patrick Sparks of Peru.
Sparks had two late bogeys at Pilar Golf Membership and shot 70.
They have been at 8-under 136, one shot forward of Erich Fortlage of Paraguay (66) and Jose Antonio Safa of Mexico (68) going into the weekend.
The winner receives an invite to play within the Masters in April, together with exemptions into the U.S. Open and British Open this yr.
“It is exhausting not to consider it,” Sparks mentioned. “However once more, I need to take it slowly and luxuriate in these subsequent two days, and we’ll see what occurs on the finish of the week.”
Hastings, a senior at San Diego State, is attempting to grow to be the second participant from the Cayman Islands to win the Latin American Beginner. Aaron Jarvis (UNLV) received three years in the past.
He opened with seven birdies in 13 holes till storms moved in and brought on a delay of simply over two hours, together with placing sufficient rain on the course to make it play softer, and longer with none wind.
The longest putt of his eight birdies was simply over 10 ft for Hastings, who mentioned that illustrated how effectively he was hitting his irons and wedges.
“Truthfully, after I’m 7 below by 13, I really feel like I am so deep within the zone nothing can have an effect on me — besides going and sitting inside for 2 hours,” he mentioned. “You strive not to consider the scores or something and attempt to maintain specializing in subsequent shot that you just had.”
He bogeyed the 14th when play resumed, and completed with one final birdie.
The lower for the highest 50 and ties got here at 2-over 146. Amongst these lacking out was Jarvis, the 2022 champion when it was held within the Dominican Republic.
