Claudio Correa
Mexican Golf Federation photo
MERIDA, Yucatan, Mexico (June 13, 2015) -- Claudio Correa, of Chile maintained his lead at the 88th Mexican National Amateur Championship at Yucatan Country Club.
Correa withstood the pressure and stayed out of trouble, managing to extend his lead to an almost insurmountable nine strokes, thanks to a 70, which added to the 74 and 68 of the first days gives him a total score of 4-under 212. In second place are Canadian Austin James and Ecuadorian José Andrés Miranda. But at 221, both players are going to need to post a low number on Sunday, and get some help from Correa, if they expect to become the Mexican National Champion.
Correa, who yesterday signed the best card of the tournament (68), "The wind bothered me, but not as much as the first days, but was felt, especially the last four holes," said the Chilean.
"One of the ways to enter the US Amateur is winning here and I'm close, but tomorrow I must be very focused," said Correa, adding: "I would dream of being there, it's a great tournament, there are 18 holes remaining and you have to play them. "
PREVIOUSLY POSTED
MERIDA, Yucatan, Mexico (June 12, 2015) -- Claudio Correa took to the 7,304-yard El Jaguar with one goal: make no mistakes. Today the Chilean golfer signed a 68 card on top of the 74 he put up the first day to lead by two strokes at 2-under 142.
"I had a good day. It was windy, but not like yesterday," Said Correa, who in the first round played in the afternoon and suffered with the wind and rain. "I had opportunities that I took advantage of and now I need to focus [on what lies ahead] as there are good players and the course is very challenging -- a bad hit can cost you a lot," added the Chilean.
In second position are José Andrés Miranda, of Ecuador; Mateo Gomez, Colombia and Mexico's Jose Antonio Hernandez, who was leading in the first round, all three are four back at 2-over par. "The course played very hard today, but we are in good position ... this is just beginning," said Jose Antonio.
PREVIOUSLY POSTED: Thursday's opening round
Strong winds and heavy rain that lasted for over 30 minutes made things difficult for players on Thursday at the Mexican National Amateur Championship.
The tournament -- being played at the Jaguar Course at Yucatan Country Club for the second consecutive year hosting this event -- has brought together 110 players from 18 countries. Mexican golfer Jose Antonio Hernandez posted a 2-under 70 strokes, to lead by one over Colombian Mateo Gomez after the first round of play.
"I played very well, the course was perfect in the morning, so I took advantage of it," said Hernandez to the Mexican Golf Federation. "In the afternoon it was very windy, but tomorrow will be the same and I feel confident and plan to have a good day," he added after his round.
The main attraction of the National Amateur is not just the prestigious trophy, but a place in next year's US Amateur. "This is the most important tournament in Mexico and has become one of the best in Latin America," Hernandez said.
(The Latin American Amateur, which debuted last year, boasts a spot in the field of The Masters for it's champion.)
The pursuer, Mateo Gomez of Colombia, said he generally played well. He is competing in his second National Amateur.
The Jaguar is played to 7,304 yards at par 72 and looks great.
"The setting is spectacular and looks great, is a worthy venue for this tournament," said Paul Suinaga, president of the Mexican Golf Federation (FMG).
For his part, José Luis Simbeck, tournament director of the FMG, was said very happy with the quality of golf, although he said the morning wind and rain were factors that caused the scores to be higher than expected.
story courtesy Mexican Golf Federation