Cayman Islands’ Aaron Jarvis created history on Sunday when he became the first golfer from the Caribbean to win the Latin America Amateur Championship (LAAC) that concluded at the Teeth of the Dog Golf Course in the Dominican Republic.
The 19-year-old Jarvis carded rounds of 70, 69, 73, and 69 for an overall score of 281 that gave him a one-stroke victory over Santiago de la Fuente of Mexico, Fred Biondi of Brazil, Vincente Marjilio and Mateo Fernandez de Oliveira of Argentina, who all finished tied on 282 for second place.
The winner of the Latin America Amateur Championship gets an automatic qualifying spot in the Masters which will be played later this year. Jarvis said that it was every young golfer's dream to go to the Masters and he was happy to have been able to achieve that dream.
Meanwhile, Jamaica’s Justin Burrowes, who entered Sunday’s final day tied on 23rd with three other golfers, had his roughest day of the championship, posting a 78 for a combined score of 298 to finish in a five-way tie for 34th. He previously shot 74,72 and 74, respectively, over the first three days.
While not happy about his final day showing, Burrowes offered his praise for his friend, who emerged victoriously.
"Not the day that I was kind of hoping for but again another huge learning experience," he said.
"I am super proud of my very good friend Aaron Jarvis and the win. He kind of opened the door for us Caribbean guys. I grew up playing golf with him, I have beaten him, he has beaten me, it just shows that we in the Caribbean have the talent to do it and to have the guy open the door for is huge."
Rodgers clings onto narrow lead after Valero Texas Open third round
Patrick Rodgers struggled to match his first two rounds at the Valero Texas Open but nevertheless held his nerve to take a one-stoke lead at 12 under into the final day.
The 30-year-old had led overnight after play was halted early on Friday, following an impressive five-under 67 to back up an opening round of six-under 66.
But after carding a more sedate one-under 71 at TPC San Antonio, the American was left with just a single-stroke lead ahead of Canada's Corey Conners, who held on to second place with a three-under 69.
Veteran Matt Kuchar had looked set to challenge for top spot before a double bogey on the 18th derailed his pursuit, though he still finished in a respectable third, three shots off at nine-under for the tournament.
American duo Sam Stevens and Chris Kirk are tied for fourth at eight under, while South Korea's An Byeong-hun and Ireland's Padraig Harrington are among those in a six-way tie for sixth.
Rodgers is chasing a first win on the PGA Tour, having arrived in Texas with six missed cuts from his past eight starts, though he did secure a top-15 finish at the Phoenix Open.
Patrick Rodgers takes a three-stroke lead into the weekend at the Valero Texas Open
At the conclusion of Friday's play at the Valero Texas Open it was Patrick Rodgers leading the field by three strokes, although many are yet to complete their second round.
Rodgers, 30, has never won on the PGA Tour, and has had an up-and-down season up until this point. While he has two top-10s, and a top-15 at the Phoenix Open, he also came into this event with six missed cuts from his past eight starts.
His six-under 66 was one of the best scores from the opening round, and he followed it with a five-under 67 after birdieing five of his last six holes to race out to a healthy lead.
In a tie for second is Canada's Corey Conners, who would be disappointed to shoot even par after his eight-under start. Joining him at eight under is Mexico's Roberto Diaz, who will have his sights set even higher as he was only through 10 holes in his second round before darkness halted play.
American duo Michael Thompson and Brendon Todd (through 15) are at seven under in a tie for fourth, while Belgium's Thomas Detry is joined by veteran Matt Kuchar and rising talent Eric Cole at six under.
Recent winner of The Honda Classic, Chris Kirk, is part of the logjam at five under rounding out the top 10, and Rickie Fowler has finished right on the projected cut-line at one under.
Justin Lower leads from Harrington, Kuchar in weather-interrupted Valero Texas Open first round
Justin Lower leads the Valero Texas Open through nine holes with play suspended due to darkness as Padraig Harrington and Matt Kuchar joined the group one stroke behind on Thursday.
The opening round was called off early in fading light, with play having been delayed numerous times in the morning due to fog in South Texas.
Lower, 33, got through the first half of his round, managing an eagle on the par-five 14th hole along with three birdies for a five under start.
Three-time major winner Padraig Harrington, 51, wound back the clock in his 333rd start in his 28th season. The Irishman, playing in familiar conditions, carded a four-under 68 with six birdies.
Fellow veteran Matt Kuchar had a similar round with six birdies and two bogeys for a four-under 68 to be tied for second.
The 44-year-old American and Harrington are alongside South Africa's M.J. Daffue, Mexico's Roberto Diaz and USA's Patrick Rodgers.
Fresh from winning last week's Corales Puntacana Championship, Matt Wallace is in a group of eight players, including Canada's Corey Conners (through nine holes), one stroke behind at three under overall.
Pre-tournament favourite Tyrrell Hatton only got through 10 holes to be two under, while Rickie Fowler and defending champion J.J Spaun were both even after 11 holes.
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