Robinson and Sanchez Lead the Way at Charlotte National  

Indian Trail, NC- Tarheel Tour leading money winner David Robinson and former Nationwide Tour player David Sanchez were each able to fire a six-under par round of 66 in the midst of 25 mph winds to share the lead at the Charlotte National Open, Wednesday. Play was suspended due to darkness at 7:40 PM with 12-players still on the golf course.

Robinson, who is looking for his third victory of the 2008 season, managed six birdies in a bogey free round on the brutish 7237-yard Charlotte National Golf Club layout. The Sandersville, GA native began his round on the back nine and was only two under par for the day until birdies on four of his final five holes left him tied atop the leaderboard, a position that he has grown accustomed to in 2008. Robinson has earned just under $79,000 in 2008 and leads his nearest pursuer, Ted Brown, by just over $24,000 on the official EGOLF Tarheel Tour money list. Brown fired an opening round 70 and sits tied for tenth after one round.

Sanchez began his round in the second group off of the first tee at 8:09 on Wednesday morning. The 2005 leading money winner equaled Robinson’s 32-34 split with birdies on four of his first seven holes including a two on the difficult par-3 sixth. Sanchez managed two birdies in his final 11-holes to finish his bogey free round at six-under par. Sanchez and Robinson were the only two players in the field who managed to survive the day without a blemish on their scorecards. Sanchez was the medallist of morning wave by three shots. Frank Adams, a four-time winner on the Tarheel Tour, fired a 69 and was the only other player who managed to break 70 in the morning wave.

Jason Kokrak continued his strong rookie campaign with five birdies on his way to an opening round 68. The Bradenton Beach, FL native has earned $20,732 in 2008 with his best finish being second place at the Bermuda Run Open where Kevin Kisner beat him in a sudden death play-off. Kokrak will begin play Thursday in third place by himself. Adams, Fernando Mechereffe, and former PGA TOUR player Cameron Yancey sit tied for fourth, three behind the leaders.

Play will resume at 8:00 Thursday morning in the first of four S&K Menswear Series events. The public is welcome to come out and watch the future stars of the PGA TOUR battle it out for a total purse of $130,000 and points in the end of season $50,000 EGOLF Points Race which will pay the winner $20,000 at the EGOLF Tarheel Tour Championship in three weeks.


For complete Charlotte National Open results click here