BUENOS AIRES – Gaston Bertinotti of Argentina had a 4-under 68 on Thursday to share the lead with three other players in the first round of the inaugural Latin America Amateur Championship.
The winner of the event receives an invitation to the Masters, along with spots in the final stage of qualify for the U.S. Open and British Open. The winner also is exempt in the U.S. Amateur and British Amateur.
Juan Alvarez of Uruguay, Alvaro Ortiz of Mexico and Ian Facey of Jamaica also were at 68 at Pilar Golf Club.
Four of the top 11 players were from Argentina. Wet weather earlier in the week limited the field to only one practice round.
The tournament is for amateurs from South America, Central America and the Caribbean countries.
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