Franco flops in Franco at Franco Last updated: 6th November 2009 Share & Socialise:

Probably a victim of his duties as host, Carlos Franco got off to an unexpected start of seven-over par 79 on day one of the Carlos Franco Invitational Stella Artois 2009.

It left the four-time PGA Tour champion 11 shots behind the quartet of compatriot Fabrizio Zanotti and Argentina’s Joaquin Estevez, Miguel Fernandez and Rodolfo Gonzalez at the Carlos Franco Country & Golf Club.

The leading four carded four-under par 68s to take a one-shot lead in the event co-sanctioned by the Tour de las Americas and the TPG Tour and promoted by Golf Play.

Showing how much he has grown as a player after two full seasons on the European Tour, where he currently holds 60th spot on The Race to Dubai Rankings, Zanotti made it clear he wants to keep this one at home. Starting with a bogey at the second hole, the 26-year old came back with five birdies later in the day.

Estevez, the player with least experience among the co-leaders, was the first to post a 68 despite a slow start of two bogeys on the first three holes. A brilliant charge of seven birdies, six of them between 10 and 17, saw him race to the top of the leaderboard but a bogey on the last prevented him holding the outright lead.

His veteran countrymen Miguel Fernandez and Rodolfo Gonzalez, winners of multiple and prestigious events throughout the region, were able to catch him later in the day. Coming from a playoff victory at Mar del Plata’s Abierto del Sur last Sunday, Gonzalez carded seven birdies and three bogeys as well. Meanwhile, Fernandez collected six birdies after a bogey-bogey start.

Trailing the co-leaders by just one, fifth place is shared by Canada’s Ian Leggatt and Argentina’s Sebastian Saavedra. Winner of the PGA Tour’s 2002 Touchstone Energy Tucson Open, Leggatt is here for the second consecutive year as special guest of tournament host Franco.

The Carlos Franco Invitational Stella Artois 2009 is the eleventh event of the current Tour de las Americas’ season and awards US $30,000 in prize money.

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