PGA Riviera Maya was once again dressed to impress as it hosted the first-ever Women’s Amateur Latin America (WALA) held in Mexico, delivering one of the most thrilling finishes in the tournament’s history. It took three playoff holes for María José Marín (Majo) of Colombia to break the tie and become champion of this fifth edition.
Marín reached the 15th hole with a four-stroke lead over Emily Odwin (Barbados), but consecutive bogeys on holes 17 and 18 opened the door for a dramatic finish. Odwin, meanwhile, posted birdies on holes 15 and 18 to tie at the top and force a playoff. Both players finished with a total of 281 strokes (-7).
With this title, Marín earns invitations to compete in three of the world’s women’s golf Majors in 2026:
- AIG Women’s Open – Royal Lytham & St Annes (England)
- The Chevron Championship – The Club at Carlton Woods (United States)
- The Amundi Evian Championship – Evian Resort Golf Club (France)
The WALA, organized by the ANNIKA Foundation and The R&A, is the most important women’s amateur tournament in the region, bringing together 60 of the best female golfers at PGA Riviera Maya for an unforgettable week.
During the event, the historic announcement was also made that Lorena Ochoa became the first Latin American woman to be named an Honorary Member of The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews, joining the prestigious list that includes Annika Sörenstam, widely regarded as the greatest female golfer of all time, who also attended the tournament.
Undoubtedly, it was one of the finest weeks for women’s golf—right here at PGA Riviera Maya—with an unforgettable finish, an exceptional champion, and a team that ensured the world-class quality of facilities and operations that define Tulum Country Club.
