Paz Finishes Runner-Up at Latin America Amateur Championship
1/18/2026 3:30:00 PM | Men's Golf
Senior Virgilio Paz of the Mizzou men's golf team finished as runner-up at the Latin America Amateur Championship on Sunday.
Paz carded a five-under tally total of 275 (70-73-64-68), finishing in a tie for first place after 72 holes of play at Lima Golf Club in Lima, Peru. Entering the final round in fifth place and aiming to become Venezuela's first-ever titlist at the Latin America Championship, Paz sunk a long birdie on the 17th hole on Sunday and then had a nice up-and-down on the 18th to force the playoff.
Mateo Pulcini – a 25-year old from Argentina – would earn the outright title, however, as he made a long par putt on the first playoff hole and then secured the title on the second playoff hole as Paz finished solo second at the championship.
By virtue of his runner-up finish, Paz receives an exemption into final qualifying for The Open, the U.S. Open and the U.S. Amateur Championship plus an exemption into The Amateur Championship.
In his senior campaign with the Tigers, Paz owns a 74.33 stroke average during the 2025-26 season. He owns two career top-five finishes at Mizzou, including the title at the season opener during the 2024-25 season at the Golfweek "Put Me In Coach" Invitational.
Paz and the Tigers return to action on Thursday, Feb. 12, competing at the John Burns Intercollegiate in Lihue, Hawaii.
Players Mentioned
