GUATEMALA OVERCOMES THE WIND TO TAKE GOLF GOLD

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Men’s golf at the II Junior Pan American Games Asu 2025 had an exciting close. Due to the strong winds and the weather alert in force in Paraguay, the podium was decided with great tension in the final holes.

Guatemalan Gabriel Palacios put in a solid performance throughout the three rounds and took the gold medal after finishing with a total of 216 strokes, par for the course, securing his country’s seventh gold medal at these Junior Pan American Games.
Palacios opened strongly in the first round with a 69 (-3), maintained control in the second with a 71 (-1), and, despite a more difficult third day with a 76 (+4), managed to withstand the pressure from his rivals and maintain his lead.

“The truth is that this experience has been unforgettable; the magnitude of the games has been immense. I’m very proud to have competed for Guatemala and to bring home the medal. It’s a different kind of achievement, since we don’t have these types of competitions in golf. It’s more individual and brings much more pride to be so close to home,” he said.

Finally, he mentioned those to whom he dedicated his medal: “I dedicate it to everyone who has always been with me, with a raised fist and very happy to be able to continue my commitment to golf.”

Paraguay, very close to gold

The fight for the rest of the podium was marked by parity and tension. Paraguayan Benjamín Fernández started with a spectacular 66 (-6) in the first round, which made him the home favorite, but in the following rounds he lost ground with 77 (+5) and 75 (+3), finishing with a total of 218 strokes (+2), a result that still earned him the second silver medal in the mixed team category and the applause of his home crowd.

Benjamín mentioned the mixed feelings this medal brings. “We have a somewhat bitter taste in our mouths, since Fran missed out on the gold. But at the same time, I’m very proud of the country’s support. The experience is unique. I didn’t have high expectations for the games, but the level of enjoyment is unparalleled,” he declared.
He emphasized that winning this medal is very important, but they will aim for more in future competitions. “The support was immense; the least we could do as players is bring the medals to the fans,” he concluded.

Third place went to Puerto Rican Alejandro Caraballo, who had a consistent performance. With scores of 69 (-3), 73 (+1), and 76 (+4), he finished tied with Fernández at 218 (+2), but it was the Paraguayan who took silver after the tiebreaker, leaving Caraballo with a well-deserved bronze medal.

The men’s individual golf competition was a thrilling one, with Palacios consolidating his place in Guatemalan sporting history, Fernández demonstrating the quality of Paraguayan golf in front of his home crowd, and Caraballo confirming Puerto Rico’s growth in this sport.

Written by Junior Rodas and Valentina Cohene