Rionegro, Colombia (February 20, 2010) – Home sweet home, that’s what the Club Campestre El Rodeo Sede La Macarena has been for Colombian David Vanegas. At 23 and starting only his second season as a pro, the player from the host club grabbed the outright lead this afternoon in the Abierto Internacional de Golf II Copa Antioquia.

Starting the day one behind the co-leaders, Vanegas slipped ahead by carding a hard fought 2-under par 69. His effort took him to 8-under par 205 for the week, one stroke ahead of TLA’s Vince Covello. The U.S. player carded a 69 as well to take the solo second at the US $220,000 event co-sanctioned by the Tour de las Americas, the European Challenge Tour and the Canadian Tour.

Another stroke further behind the third place is shared by Spain’s Alvaro Velasco, 69, the USA’s Nathan Smith, 71, and Colombia’s Oscar Alvarez, who lost his share of the co-lead by posting a 72. Norway’s Jan-Are Larsen scored a 68 to take the sixth spot, only three off the pace, while defending champion Peter Gustafsson of Sweden was one of two players carding a best-of-the-day 67 that keeps his chance of back-to-back wins still alive. The low Canadian Tour member is Canadian Ryan Yip who after a three under on the day moved into a T 14th.

Starting the day as the other co-leader of the tournament, Argentina’s Francisco Ojeda ended up in a six-way tie for eight. His solid week at La Macarena was spoiled by a disappointing quadruple-bogey 8 on No 15 that cost him a 75.

“I was a little nervous earlier in the day, but that was something I managed to control. I started with bogeys on holes 1 and 6, but then I found the strength to recover and finish well,” said Vanegas, who moved into the lead by collecting five birdies between holes 7 and 15.

Thru fifteen the local favorite was enjoying a three-stroke lead at 9-under for the week, but then he bogeyed the par-five 16. “I was carless on my second shot on 16. I thought it was so easy that I lost my concentration and made a bogey. Then a pared the last two, but I’m o.k. I feel good.”  

“I think you have to be lucky to have a tournament of this magnitude at home, on a golf course you know so well. It would be huge for me to win, but I know it’s going to be a tough final round. There are many good players here, separated by only a few strokes,” added Vanegas, searching for his first career win as a professional.

Meanwhile, Vince Covello of the U.S., the first medalist at the TLA Q-School B last week in Florida, is looking for his fourth career win after victories on the Golden Bear and the Gateway Tour. “I’m excited to be in this position. It’s my first time in this kind of stage and I’m looking forward to playing well tomorrow,” said Covello, who claimed the solo second with a birdie on the final hole today.

Starting at 12:05 p.m. local time on Sunday, Vanegas will play along with Covello and Velasco of Spain on the final group. At the end of the day the man finishing at the top will take home a US $35,200 check and playing privileges on the three Tours co-sanctioning to start the 2010 season.

Earlier today Argentina’s Miguel Rodriguez made a hole-in-one, the only so far this week. The Buenos Aires native, a former TLA and Challenge Tour champion, hit an 8-iron for his ace at the 171-yard 17th. He followed with a birdie at the 18th to post a 69 and get to even-par for the week. It was the seventh hole-in-one of his life, his fourth in tournament play.