Schonbaum Leads Latin America Amateur Championship

“Yeah, I definitely was in control,” said Schonbaum. “I’ve been striking it very well. And of course, this tournament, you never know what’s going to happen because you know you’ll be more nervous than regular rounds but just big lines, good targets, big swing.”

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Schonbaum started the day tied for the lead with 16-year-old Venezuelan Andres Martinez Benedett. His front nine, starting from the 10th was something of a rollercoaster – four birdies but two bogeys in the first seven holes.

But he steadied the ship and came home with 11 straight pars to post a total of 134 for 36 holes – six-under.

Andres Martinez-Benedetti of Venezuela is just two shots back of Schonbaum. He shot a level-par 70 to keep himself right in the hunt.

The 16-year-old birdied the 18th to stay in touch.

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Martinez Benedetti won both the Venezuelan National Junior and National Match Play Championships and finished eighth in the Junior Pan American Games and T-10 in the South American Junior Championship in Paraguay last season.

Paraguay’s Erich Fortlage had the round of the day. He shot a superb 66 to reach three-under at the halfway mark.

After a level par front nine, starting at the 10th, Fortlage birdied five of six holes from the first to the sixth. The 19-year-old won the Lima Golf Club Junior International Tournament in 2023 so clearly enjoys this tight and testing golf course.

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The pressure will build through the week as the competitors in contention begin to consider the prizes on offer in Lima this week. Those prizes could be life changing for the victor.