UCLA junior Omar Morales (Mexico) opened Thursday with a 1-under 69 to share the lead with Mexico’s Santiago de la Fuente and Guatemala’s Jose Ars after the Latin American Amateur Tournament round. Morales hit his first tee shot at last year’s U.S. Open at Los Angeles Country Club and played the first round as if he wanted to make a comeback. The winner of the Latin American Amateur Tournament will qualify for the US tournament.
Open, Masters, and Open. Morales made two birdies in his final four holes at the windy Santa Maria Golf Club. He is ranked 72nd in the world amateur rankings, the highest ranked player in his field. De la Fuente birdied the final hole to join fellow Mexican in the lead. Als got off to a strong start with three consecutive birdies, then settled for 69.
