PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. – Ulric Francis of Antigua, playing in the second to last group on Monday, fired a five under par 66 for his first victory on the Minor League Golf Tour. Francis made three birdies on each nine and bogeyed the par-4 seventh hole on the Estate course at PGA National.
It was Francis’ 20th MLGT start since February, 2013, his sixth this year. He collected $675 from the $3,370 purse and an additional $80 from a skins game to raise his career earnings to $3,613.
Players with contrasting backgrounds on the Jupiter-based mini-tour tied for second at 67 – Jimmy Lytle of Ocean Ridge, the MLGT career leader with 58 victories and earnings of $220,538, and Oscar Fraustro of Mexico City, who has one win in nine starts since Feb. 6. Lytle had a bogey-free round with four birdies, Fraustro, five birdies and a bogey. Each received $440.
Palm Beach Gardens amateur Jalen Ledger tied for fourth with 68 on six birdies and three bogeys. It was his first start since winning last August on the Rees Jones course at Breakers West.
The MLGT has a 36-hole tournament scheduled Wednesday and Thursday at Atlantic National GC west of Lantana.
The Minor League Golf Tour's 2nd Major of the year is just 8 days away. It is a 36-hole event staged at Abacoa Golf Club on April 25th and 26th. The entry fee is $640 with 40% of the field and ties earning a check. First place will be $10,000 with 61 or more players or $6,000 with 45 or more players. Please sign up early to help grow the field size.
