PANAMA CITY — Mexico's Omar Morales opened with three quick birdies on his way to a 5-under 65, giving him a three-stroke lead heading into the final round of the Latin America Amateur. At stake is the opportunity to play in three majors this year.
Morales was on the verge of pulling away until he found water on the tee of the par-5 18th at Santa María Golf Club and made double bogey.
He was at 7 under par 203.
A third-year student at UCLA, he will attempt to join Álvaro Ortiz in 2019 as the only Mexican winners of the Latin America Amateur in its nine-year history.
The winner earns a spot in the Masters, US Open and British Open. Last summer, Morales hit the first tee shot of the US Open at Los Angeles Country Club, after having passed two heats.
Mexico's Santiago De la Fuente had a 66 and was three shots behind, with Colombia's Mateo Fuenmayor another shot back after a 68.
Morales is ranked 72nd in the world amateur ranking, the highest in the Santa María field.
