Carlos Franco

Carlos Daniel Franco (born 24 May 1965) is a Paraguayan professional golfer who currently plays on the PGA Tour Champions.

Early life In 1965, Franco was born in Asunción, the Paraguayan capital. He comes from a poor background and grew up in a one-room, dirt-floor home. His father was a greenkeeper and caddie, and he has five brothers, all of whom became golf professionals. One of his brothers is Ángel Franco.

Professional career In 1986, Franco turned professional. He has played in many parts of the world. He has won more than twenty tournaments in Latin America, and from 1994 to 1999 he won five times on the Japan Golf Tour. He also won the 1994 Philippine Open title on the Asia Golf Circuit and claimed the Order of Merit title that season.

Franco first played on the U.S.-based PGA Tour in 1999 and was fully exempt until 2006. He was the first rookie to surpass $1 million in earnings in a season and won the PGA Tour Rookie of the Year title. He won four times on the PGA Tour. He has featured in the top 20 of the Official World Golf Rankings, going as high as 16th in 2000. He is also one of the few non-Americans to win a Presidents Cup as a member of the 1998 team. After struggling to stay on the PGA Tour, Franco also played on the Web.com Tour and PGA Tour Latinoamérica.

Franco joined the Champions Tour after turning 50. He has won twice at the Shaw Charity Classic and the Bass Pro Shops Legends of Golf, a pairs tournament with Vijay Singh. At the 2019 Pan American Games, Franco teamed with Fabrizio Zanotti, Julieta Granada, and Sofia García, to win the silver medal in the mixed team event.

Professional wins (25) PGA Tour wins (4)

PGA Tour playoff record (1–0)

PGA of Japan Tour wins (5)

PGA of Japan Tour playoff record (0–1)

Asia Golf Circuit wins (1)

Asia Golf Circuit playoff record (1–0)

Tour de las Américas wins (5)

Other wins (8) 1985 Chile Open 1986 Chaco Open (Argentina) 1987 Asunción Open (Paraguay) 1990 Norpatagonico Open (Argentina) 1991 Daytron Cup (Paraguay) 1993 Los Leones Open (Chile), Asunción Open (Paraguay) 2004 Center Open (Argentina)

PGA Tour Champions wins (2)

Results in major championships

WD = Withdrew CUT = missed the halfway cut "T" indicates a tie for a place.

Summary Most consecutive cuts made – 4 (1998 Open Championship – 1999 U.S. Open) Longest streak of top-10s – 1 (twice)

Results in The Players Championship CUT = missed the halfway cut "T" indicates a tie for a place.

Results in World Golf Championships 1Cancelled due to 9/11

QF, R16, R32, R64 = Round in which player lost in match play "T" = Tied NT = No tournament

Results in senior major championships Results are not in chronological order before 2022.

CUT = missed the halfway cut "T" indicates a tie for a place NT = No tournament due to COVID-19 pandemic

Team appearances Alfred Dunhill Cup (representing Paraguay): 1991, 1993, 1994, 1999 World Cup (representing Paraguay): 1992, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2005, 2007 Presidents Cup (International Team): 1998 (winners), 2000