Carlos Franco
Name:
Carlos Daniel FrancoCountry:
ParaguayBorn:
May 24, 1965 in Asunción, Paraguay.Original/Home Club:
Occupation:
Professional golferTurned Pro:
1986Multiple PGA Tour and international tour winner.
Carlos Franco came from a poor background, grewing up in a one-room, dirt-floor dwelling, in Paraguay's capital Asunción. Influenced by his father, a greenkeeper and caddie, Carlos and his five brothers all became golf professionals.
America
Bass Pro Shops
Played as the Bass Pro Shops Legends of Golf at Big Cedar Lodge (Apr 21-23; 54-hole, two-man alternate shot & better-ball team event). Second-placed Jeff Sluman & Fred Funk, Corey Pavin & Duffy Waldorf and Paul Goydos & Kevin Sutherland (all USA players) finished 1 shot behind Carlos Franco (Para) & Vijay Singh (Fiji). Reduced to 36-holes due to bad weather, and both rounds played on the Top of the Rock par-3 course. [Top of the Rock, Big Cedar Lodge, Branson, Missouri].
America
Shaw Comms
Played as the Shaw Charity Classic (Sept 2-4). Second-placed Michael Allen (USA) and Bernhard Langer (Ger) finished 2 shots behind 50-year-old Carlos Franco (Para), who recorded his first PGA Tour Champions win with a final round 63 (-7). [Canyon Meadows G&CC, Calgary, Alberta].
America
US Bank
Played as the US Bank Championship in Milwaukee (July 22-25; previously known as the Greater Milwaukee Open). Second-placed Fred Funk (USA) and Brett Quigley (USA) finished 2 shots behind Carlos Franco (Para), who recorded his second win in this event and the last of his four PGA Tour wins. [Brown Deer Park GC, Brown Deer, nr Milwaukee, Wisc.].
America
Trump
Played as the Trump Aberto do Brasil (Brazil Open) (Nov 27-30; Tr de las Américas event). Defending champion Carlos Franco (Para) beat Eduardo Argiro (Arg) at the second playoff hole. [Sao Fernando GC, Cotia, nr Sao Paulo].
America
Chevrolet
Played as the Chevrolet Brazil Open (Aberto do Brasil) (Nov 29-Dec 2; Tour de las Américas event). Second-placed Michael Guzman (Arg) finished 4 shots behind Franco (Para). [Sao Paulo GC, Santo Amoro, Sao Paulo, Brazil].
America
Compaq
Played as the Compaq Classic of New Orleans (May 4-7). Defending champion Carlos Franco (Para) beat Blaine McCallister (USA) with a par at the second playoff hole. [English Turn G&CC, New Orleans, LA].
Played as the Paraguay Open (Abierto del Paraguay). Won by Franco (Para).
America
x
Played as the Greater Milwaukee Open (July 8-11). Second-placed Tom Lehman (USA) finished 2 shots behind Carlos Franco (Para), who recorded his second PGA Tour win. [Brown Deer Park GC, Brown Deer, nr Milwaukee, Wisc.].
Awards
PGA Tour
Franco (Para) won the PGA Tour 1999 Rookie of the Year Award as the leading first-season player. He finished 11th on the Tour's money list, with earnings of $1,864,584. The first PGA Tour player to exceed $1 million in his rookie year.
America
Compaq
Played as the Compaq Classic of New Orleans (May 6-9). Second-placed Harrison Frazar (USA) and Steve Flesch (USA) finished 2 shots behind 33-year-old Carlos Franco (Para), who recorded his first PGA Tour win. [English Turn G&CC, New Orleans, LA].
Asia
Manila Southwoods
Played as the Manila Southwoods Philippine Open (Asian Tr event). Franco (Para) beat Sang-ho Choi (S Kor) at the first playoff hole. [Masters course, Manila Southwoods G&CC, Carmona, nr Manila, Philippines].
Awards
Asia Circuit
Franco (Para) won the Asia Golf Circuit 1994 Order of Merit, accumulating 827 pts from Asia's top 10 professional events. Brandt Jobe (USA) was second with 708 pts; Jim Rutledge (Can) was third with 686 pts.
Played as the Paraguay Open (Abierto del Paraguay). Won by Franco (Para).
Played as the Chile Open (Abierto de Chile). Won by Franco (Para).
Sony Open in Hawaii: played at Waialae Country Club near Honolulu, the Sony Open takes over the spotlight from The Sentry as the PGA Tour’s calendar-year opening event (Jan 15-18). The Sentry (not being played in 2026) was formerly known as the Tournament of Champions, with a field typically restricted to golfers who won a PGA Tour event in the previous calendar year.
Dubai Desert Classic: the DP World Tour’s first Rolex Series event of 2026, is contested for the 37th time (Jan 22-25). First won by Englishman Mark James in 1989, it now boasts a four-time winner, Rory McIlroy. Played on the Emirates Golf Club’s Majlis course, this once desert-surrounded course is the long-time flagship for Golf in Dubai.
Our visit last month included two rounds at Golf de Chantilly, one of France’s most prestigious clubs.
It offers two superb layouts: Le Vineuil, a five-star championship course with a rich history, and Longères, an excellent four-star course that provides a strong and enjoyable test.
The wider Paris region offers plenty more. Courses such as Fontainebleau, Golf de Saint-Germain, and several other top-rated layouts make this area one of Europe’s most rewarding golf destinations, offering a mix of woodland, heathland, and parkland designs.
The Dutch: "It's no' just a game", as they say in Scotland, and that's certainly true at The Dutch. With 5-star services throughout, a lavishly comfortable Loch Lomond-inspired clubhouse, and a superbly designed and presented golf course, one could not ask for more from this top-end private club.
Join us at The Dutch from August 21–24 for the Festival of Golf, featuring the HotelPlanner Tour. Experience four days of top-tier sport, live music, incredible food, and unexpected surprises. Explore the grounds, connect with others, embrace new challenges, and dive into an unforgettable celebration. Click here to buy tickets.
Here at Prince’s Golf Club you'll find 27 excellent holes of links golf. Just over the fence and sharing similar terrain is Royal St George’s; but Prince’s is far from overshadowed by its venerable neighbour. The three nine-hole loops at Prince's, laid out over gently undulating terrain, are sure to bring a smile of satisfaction to all lovers of links golf.
Stay&Play at Prince's: excellent onsite Lodge accommodation available
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