From the tranquil, sun-kissed shores of the Cayman Islands, a golf prodigy has emerged, defying the odds and staking his claim amongst golfing legends. This is the story of Justin Hastings, a 21-year-old amateur golfer who, just a decade and a half ago, would have scoffed at the mere suggestion of competing shoulder-to-shoulder with icons like Tiger Woods. Today, however, he’s the reigning champion of the 2025 Latin America Amateur Golf Championship, a title he clinched with an extraordinary performance that left spectators and critics alike in awe.
From an early age, Hastings displayed an affinity for the sport, swinging his first golf club at the tender age of seven. By nine, he was proudly wearing Cayman’s colors, showcasing his budding talent at the North Sound Golf Club as part of the national team. His passion for golf, as he once revealed to Compass, was fueled by local peers and golf superstar Phil Mickelson, an icon he looked up to during his formative years. Yet, despite his love for golf, his heart also beats for another sport – hockey.
In his pursuit of excellence, Hastings faces the daunting task of balancing his golfing ambitions with his academic duties at San Diego State. His remarkable performance at the Mexico Open at VidantaWorld, where he shot a 6-under 65, has raised hopes of a top-10 finish. However, his golfing commitments often clash with his academic schedule, as was the case when he secured his Masters, U.S. Open, and The Open Championship berths by winning the Latin American Amateur Championship. Despite the packed schedule, Hastings remains committed to his studies and is determined to graduate.
Hastings, a native of Grand Cayman, where a mere 27 golf holes exist, has come a long way since his debut at the Latin America Amateur Championship in Santiago, Chile at just 14. His career trajectory took a steep climb in 2020 when he played a pivotal role in securing the Cayman Islands their first-ever Hoerman Cup victory at the Caribbean Amateur Golf Championships. That year, he also committed to play for San Diego State University, where he has been nothing short of spectacular, holding the best career scoring average in the history of the program.
His meteoric rise continued in 2024 when he made his PGA Tour debut at the Puerto Rico Open and climbed to 36th in the World Amateur Golf Ranking. The crowning moment of his career, however, came in January 2025, when he bagged the Latin America Amateur Championship, thus securing a place at The Masters and exemptions for The Open Championship and the U.S. Open. This victory made him the second player from the Cayman Islands to win the LAAC after Aaron Jarvis.
When Hastings reflects on his journey, he admits to a childhood habit of skipping school to watch the Masters, a hint of the passion and dedication that would propel him to where he is today. His story serves as a testament to the power of love for the game and the incredible feats it can achieve. As we await his next move, one can’t help but marvel at this young golfer’s accomplishments and wonder what heights he will scale next. Share your thoughts on this rising star of the PGA Tour in the comments section.