After three rounds in the sixties to enter the final day enjoying a comfortable six-stroke lead, a 3-over par 74 proved enough for the veteran to win by four at the event the Tour de las Americas sanctioned along with the local TPG Tour.

“I started very nervous and stayed like that for most of the day. Although I have won several titles, I haven’t played much over the past two years and didn’t really expect to be in this position. I was playing bad early, but a birdie at the par-five No. 8 helped me calm down and then I started to strike the ball better. However, I didn’t get to play the way I wanted,” commented Cóceres.

Joined by his youngest son Marcos on the bag to make it an unforgettable father-son experience, the winner finished the week with an aggregate score of 8-under par 276. His first Torneo de Maestros win was also his first on a TLA sanctioned event and his 18th career win overall.

The local pros ended up taking the top six spots. Ricardo González, a four-time European Tour winner, carded a final round 68 to finish as the runner-up. The defending champion Andrés Romero shot 72 to finish five behind at the solo third.

Two strokes further behind the fourth place was shared by Joaquín Estévez, one of two players who carded a best-of-the-final-day 67, Miguel Guzmán, 68, and Daniel Vancsik, 71. His piece of the fourth spot allowed Estévez to move ahead of Chile’s Benjamín Alvarado at the top of the Tour de las Americas’ Order of Merit.

There are only two events left to play on the 2011 TLA season: the 106th VISA Open de Argentina presentado por Peugeot, which is set to begin on Thursday at the Pilar Golf Club, and by the 52nd Abierto del Club de Golf Sport Francés Copa NISSAN, December 15-18 at Chile’s Sport Francés Golf Club.

By Gregory Villalobos
TLA Media Relations Manager
gvillalobos@tourdelasamericas.com
Twitter: @gregcrc

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