2022-23 PGA TOUR Latinoamérica season resumes in Argentina

TERMAS DE RIO HONDO, Argentina—Following a 12-week break, PGA TOUR Latinoamérica is set to resume its 2022-23 season this week. The season-long race that will reward the Totalplay Cup top performers with 2024 Korn Ferry Tour cards resumes Thursday in the province of Santiago del Estero, with the Termas de Río Hondo Invitational taking center stage.

“The food is awesome, I love the people and I feel comfortable,” said Sweden’s Linus Lilliedahl about being back in Argentina, where he recorded back-to-back runner-up finishes to start the season—at the Visa Argentine Open and the Neuquén Argentina Classic last December.

With 600 points collected, Lilliedahl is second in the Totalplay Cup standings and first in the Zurich Argentina Swing standings, a competition that will crown a new winner at the conclusion of the Roberto De Vicenzo Memorial 100 Years next week in Buenos Aires.

The 29-year old missed the cut in his last PGA TOUR Latinoamérica start, at the Scotia Wealth Management Chile Open, and hasn’t played much tournament golf since. “I guess we are about to find out, right?” said the Sandviken, Sweden, native when asked how sharp his game is coming into this week. “I haven’t really competed much lately, but I have been putting in the work. I really want to grab the No. 1 spot on this ranking, so it’s been a lot of work.”

The race to the finish line will be intense. Including this week’s stop at Termas de Rio Hondo, PGA TOUR Latinoamérica will play the remaining nine tournaments in its 2022-23 schedule over the next 16 weeks. The season will culminate with the PGA TOUR Latinoamérica Championship (June 29-July 2) in Tulum, Mexico.

“If I’m going to win (the Totalplay Cup) then I’m going to have to play some good golf. So, the plan is to just be comfortable and find my zone. I know I can do this, obviously, with back-to-back runner-up (finishes) here in December. I know my ability is there, and I think it’s just going to be key for me to find the vibes so to say,” said Lilliedahl of the challenge ahead.

Although winning the Totalplay Cup is the ultimate goal, specifically over the next two weeks, Tour players will be focused on winning the Zurich Argentina Swing and the U.S. $10,000 bonus provided to the player accumulating the most points in the four PGA TOUR Latinoamérica events in Argentina. Besides the cash prize, Zurich will keep donating to charity for every birdie made on the 18th hole at each of these events. This season, the money raised through this charitable component is going to Fundación Integrar, a foundation that provides educational scholarships.

Zurich Argentina Swing Standings

(Through 2 of 4 events)

*Korn Ferry Tour members (not playing this week)

Tournament Fast Facts

Official Name: Termas de Rio Hondo Invitational

Hashtag: #TermasRioHondoInv

Dates: March 16-19, 2023

Host venue: Termas de Rio Hondo Golf Club, Par 72 (36-36) 7,471 yards

Designer: Robert Trent Jones, Jr.

Field: 144 players from 16 countries and territories, including 38 Argentine players

Countries and territories represented in the field: Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, England, Finland, France, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Paraguay, Peru, Scotland, United States and Venezuela

Defending champion: Kevin Velo (U.S.) not competing this week

Purse: US $175,000 – Winner’s share U.S. $31,500

Totalplay Cup points: Awarded to the top-55 and ties, with500 going to the winner

Cut: Top 55 and ties

Weather Forecast: Sunny and clear, with a high of 95. Wind up to 19 mph.