Whatever else Francisco Cea achieves in his golfing career, he will always have at least one claim to fame -–the fact that he defeated a certain Sergio Garcia on his way to winning the Spanish Amateur title.
Now a member of the professional ranks, Cea is continuing his quest to achieve another goal - a first success on the European Tour - and he took a step towards that target when he claimed the lead in the first round of the Sarazen World Open at PGA Catalunya, Barcelona.
Cea, 27, shot a seven under par 65 to establish the course record at a new venue which is already receiving great accolades from the top players on the European Tour.
The man from Malaga leads by one stroke from three players on 66 – the back to form Thomas Bjorn, Roger Winchester of England and Robert Coles, a Challenge Tour regular from Essex.
Cea, currently 65th on the Volvo Order of Merit, is seeking a high finish this week to qualify for the Volvo Masters in two weeks time. He said: “A top ten would help my cause greatly.”
By contrast, the player he beat in 1995, Garcia, is already sure of his place in that field after moving to second place behind Colin Montgomerie at the top of the merit table.
As the 1999 season draws to a close, numerous players have differing goals in mind this week. Bjorn, without a victory since the Spring of 1998, came home in 31 to show his well being after a slow start to the year.
“Definitely my goal is to win again” he insisted. “I want to do that and give myself a chance to get into the majors and the top 50 in the World to play in the big money events. I need to do some work but winning is the only way to do it.”
Currently 21st on the Volvo Order of Merit, Bjorn neds to climb one place to make sure of competing in the $5 million American Express Championship at Valderrama next month.
Coles, 27, has endured a frustrating year after missing last November’s Qualifying School finals following a car crash just days before the event. He suffered broken ribs and couldn’t play until January.
Without a healthy ranking, he has played only a handful of European Tour events this season and he revealed: “I was going to play a Challenge Tour event in France this week. I cancelled my flights on Saturday when I heard I was in the field here. This score vindicates my decision.”
Winchester, fresh after three weeks off, joined the group on 66 after an inward half containing four birdies, an eagle and a bogey at the last which deprived him of the chance to join Cea on seven under.
