BUENOS AIRES - Justin Hastings of the Cayman Islands clinched the 2025 Latin America Amateur Championship over the weekend in Buenos Aires, Argentina, after a gruelling 36-hole showdown at Pilar Golf Club.
The marathon double session was necessitated by a forecast of severe weather on Sunday, prompting organizers to shift the final round to Saturday afternoon after the conclusion of the third round.
The intense day of golf tested the physical and mental stamina of the 21-year-old, who finished with a 16-under-par total of 272. Hastings edged out Peru’s Patrick Sparks by a single stroke in the final group.
His victory makes him the second player from the Cayman Islands to win the prestigious event. He joins his close friend Aaron Jarvis, who claimed the title in 2022.
Hastings’ win earned him coveted spots in three major championships: the 2025 Masters Tournament at Augusta National, the 153rd Open at Royal Portrush, and the 125th U.S. Open at Oakmont Country Club.
Notably, he will become the first Caymanian to compete in the U.S. Open and the second to play in the Masters and The Open, following in Jarvis’s footsteps.
“It’s still surreal. I don’t think it has fully sunk in yet,” said Hastings. His emotional victory included standout rounds of 64, the lowest of the championship, and 72.
“Today was a learning experience. I realized there’s still room for growth in critical moments, but I’m incredibly proud of how far I’ve come, especially with my mental game over the past few years.”
CMC
