Arkansas junior Maria José Marin won the 2025 Women’s Amateur Latin America at PGA Riviera Maya in Tulum, Mexico after posting a seven under 281 and defeating SMU senior Emily Odwin on the third playoff hole. Marin becomes the third straight Arkansas player to win the championship, following Clarisa Temelo in 2024 and Ela Anacona in 2023.
Marin closed with a one over 73 in hot and breezy conditions. Her round included an eagle on the ninth when she holed her approach from ninety seven yards. Odwin shot an even par 72 to match Marin at seven under. Both players entered the playoff after Odwin birdied the eighteenth and Marin made bogey.
On the first extra hole, both players missed from the back bunker and made bogey. Odwin saved par on the second playoff hole to extend the match. On the third playoff hole at the tenth, Odwin drove into a bunker and her approach found the water. Marin made par to secure the championship.
Marin entered the week as the top ranked player in the field at number eight on the World Amateur Golf Ranking. Her victory also makes her the second Colombian champion in the event’s history. She continues a strong year after winning the NCAA Division I Women’s National Championship last spring and competing in the US Women’s Open and The Amundi Evian Championship.
The event featured a head to head battle between Marin and Odwin throughout the final round. Odwin briefly took the lead after Marin bogeyed the first hole. The two remained tied at seven under on the seventh tee before Odwin made double bogey at the short ninth after finding the trees. Marin immediately answered with an eagle to take a four shot lead. Odwin cut the deficit with a birdie on the fifteenth and tied the championship with a birdie on eighteen while Marin bogeyed from behind a tree.
Luana Valero of Colombia finished third at two under 286, tied with Ameila Ruiz Topali of Chile. Krishny Elwin of Puerto Rico finished fifth at even par 288. Defending champion Clarisa Temelo tied for tenth at eight over 286.
Champions Invitations and Exemptions
As champion, Marin receives:
- Women’s Amateur Latin America Trophy
- Invitation to the 2026 AIG Women’s Open at Royal Lytham and St Annes
- Invitation to The Amundi Evian Championship 2026 at the Evian Resort Golf Club
- Invitation to The Chevron Championship 2026 at The Club at Carlton Woods
- Exemption into The Women’s Amateur Championship at Muirfield
- Exemption into The Hilton Grand Vacations ANNIKA Invitational presented by Rolex based on age eligibility
- Invitation to the South American Amateur Championship
The top three finishers Marin, Odwin, and Valero also earned exemptions into The Women’s Amateur Championship at Muirfield.
Sources
Arkansas Razorbacks: Maria José Marin Wins Women’s Amateur Latin America
R&A: Dramatic Play Off Victory for Maria José Marin