Argentina’s VISA Open Links to The Open Championship, Celebrates AAG Centenary

Historic Championship Offers Direct Qualification to The Open

Buenos Aires, Argentina – The 119th VISA Open of Argentina presented by Macro is set to be a landmark event, not only offering a pathway to the prestigious Open Championship but also celebrating the centenary of the Argentine Golf Association (AAG). This year’s tournament, hosted at the renowned Jockey Club, features a field of 156 players representing twenty nations, including eleven Argentines.

Key Players and Pro-Am Highlights

Among the Argentinian contingent are notable names such as Jorge Fernández Valdés, Augusto Núñez, Fabián Gómez, Nelson Ledesma, and Vicente Marzilio. The tournament kicked off with the traditional Pro-Am VISA for Sponsors and Special Guests, attracting a diverse group of celebrities including former rugby star Juan Martín Hernández, former lioness Delfina Merino, and prominent journalists Nicolás Wiñazki and Marcelo Longobardi.

The morning Pro-Am saw Kevin Dougherty (USA) and Ben Kohles (USA) partnering with amateurs Martha T. Huanami de Ko and Matías García Ruiz, and Gustavo Canzani to claim victory with a score of 58 strokes, decided by an automatic tiebreaker. The afternoon Pro-Am was won by Francisco Olivero, Bruno Guemdjian, Santiago Pauls, alongside professionals Augusto Núñez (Argentina) and Harry Higgs (USA), also with 57 strokes, again resolved by tiebreaker.

Jockey Club and the Colorada Course

The Jockey Club is hosting the seventh oldest golf championship in the world for the twentieth time. Players will compete on the iconic Colorada course, a 6,836-yard par 70 masterpiece designed by the legendary Scottish architect Alister MacKenzie.

Hole-in-One Prize: A Ford Territory on the Line

Adding an extra layer of excitement, Ford, the Institutional Sponsor of the AAG and Official Vehicle of the championship, is offering a recent Ford Territory to any amateur player who achieves a hole-in-one on the par 3 17th hole. The prize is also available to a professional player on Saturday or Sunday. The oval brand has already delivered three vehicles: 2018 to the American Evan Harmeling (who donated it to his caddy Beto Gándara), 2019 to the Finnish Toni Hakula, and 2022 to the Argentine Mauro Báez.

Direct Qualification to The Open Championship

This edition marks a significant step forward for the tournament, as it has been officially incorporated into The Open Qualifying Series (OQS). The highest-placed player who is not already exempt will earn a coveted spot in The 154th Open Championship, to be held at Royal Birkdale from July 16 to 19, 2026.

Accessing Tournament Information and Live Broadcast

The Argentine Golf Association has launched a dedicated website for the 119th VISA Open of Argentina presented by Macro, providing comprehensive information about the championship. Live broadcasts will be available on Saturday and Sunday starting at 3:00 p.m. Local time via the AAG.

FAQ

• What is the significance of this year’s tournament? It marks the centenary of the Argentine Golf Association and offers a direct path to The Open Championship.
• Where is the tournament being held? At the Jockey Club on the Colorada course.
• How can I watch the tournament? Live broadcasts will be available on Saturday and Sunday starting at 3:00 p.m. Via the AAG.

The 119th VISA Open of Argentina promises to be a thrilling competition, steeped in history and offering a unique opportunity for players to compete on a world-class stage. With a direct link to The Open Championship and the celebration of a century of golf in Argentina, this tournament is poised to be a memorable event for players and fans alike.