The national teams of Chile and Ecuador matched record rounds of 12-under par 59 playing the format of best-ball to share the opening day’s lead at the Omega Mission Hills World Cup South American Qualifier Copa Marriott Venezuela Playa Grande.
Supported by the local fans, the Venezuelan team managed a late charge of seven birdies on the last eight holes to post a 60 and trail the co-leaders by only one stroke.
Colombia finished strong as well, making eight birdies on the last ten holes for a 61 and the solo fourth at the Caracas CC, a 6,601-yard par-71 that provided delightful sunny conditions all day long.
Following on the success that turned them into this event’s winners a year ago, the Guatemalan team posted a 62 that was good enough for the fifth place, only three strokes off the pace set by the co-leaders.
Although Carlos Franco holed a wedge for an ace at the 143-yard No 11, Paraguay, a heavy favorite this week, had to settle for a 64 to tie for sixth with Puerto Rico.
“Martin (Ureta) was unbelievable all day long and that made my job a lot easier,” commented Chile’s Hugo Leon about the round of two eagles, nine birdies and one bogey that took the duo of 24-year olds to the top of the leaderboard. “This is a format in which you must make the birdies. It’s a great start, but there’s a long way to go.”
Finishing an hour later, Ecuador’s veterans Rafael Ponce, 46, and Andres Moncayo, 43, matched the Chileans 59 with ten birdies and an eagle at the last. “This is our third time playing this event and we believe this is our big chance,” said Ponce, winner as a pro in Asia and Latin America. “We play great together and the fact that we both strike the ball very straight helps a lot. We manage to stay out of trouble and we feel quite confident about our chances on the alternate shot format.”
Today’s 59’s were the first ever recorded during the eight seasons the Tour de las Americas has conducted this event on behalf of the International Federation of PGA Tours.
The degree of difficulty will increase tomorrow, as the fifteen teams in action are scheduled to play the more difficult format of alternate-shot foursomes. On Thursday they will go back to best-ball, with another round of alternate-shot foursomes left for the final round on Friday.
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