WALA in Mexico: A Historic Week for Women’s Golf at PGA Riviera Maya

PGA Riviera Maya once again rose to the occasion as host of the first-ever Women’s Amateur Latin America (WALA) to be held in Mexico, a tournament that delivered one of the most thrilling finishes in its history. It took three playoff holes for Colombia’s María José Marín (“Majo”) to break the tie and claim the title in this fifth edition.

Marín arrived at the 15th hole with a four-shot lead over Emily Odwin of Barbados, but consecutive bogeys on holes 17 and 18 opened the door to a dramatic finish. Meanwhile, Odwin responded with birdies on holes 15 and 18 to draw level at the top of the leaderboard and force a playoff. Both players finished with a total score of 281 (-7).

With this victory, Marín earns invitations to compete in three of women’s golf’s premier Major championships 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

For this reason, WALA—organized by the ANNIKA Foundation and The R&A—is the most prestigious women’s amateur tournament in the region, bringing together 60 of the top golfers for a week at PGA Riviera Maya.

In addition, the week also marked the appointment of Lorena Ochoa as the first Latin American woman to be named an Honorary Member of The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews, joining a distinguished list that includes Annika Sörenstam, widely regarded as the greatest female golfer of all time, who was also present at the tournament.

Without a doubt, it was one of the finest weeks ever for women’s golf, and fittingly so at our very own PGA Riviera Maya—with an unforgettable finish, an exceptional champion, and a team that ensured the highest standards of facilities and operations so characteristic of Tulum Country Club.