England's Matt Blackey had a great first round in the Argentina Open to lie just two shots off the lead.

Blackey carded a four-under-par 66 at The Jockey Club to trail leader Angel Franco of Paraguay.

Five players are tying for second place on five under par.

Swedish trio Richard Johnson, Olle Karlsson and Carl Pettersson, Spain's Jose Manuel Lara and Erol Simsek of Germany all carded 65s.

Swede, Mikael Lundberg, hit a 66 alongside Blackey.

Fog made it difficult for the early starters but Blackey managed to card five birdies and just one bogey.

Waves of fog

"I bogeyed the first mainly because I couldn't see the fairway because of the fog," said Blackey who was born in Lytham St Annes, near the site of this year's Open championship.

"I dread to think what the first two groups could see.

"It was coming in waves and standing on the range I though it would be okay but when I got on the tee you couldn't see more than 200 yards."

Leader Franco carded seven birdies and one bogey in his superb 64 that gave him a one-shot lead over the field.

Franco, whose brother Carlos plays on the USPGA Tour, revealed he had his son to thank for his improved display, adding.

He said: "I had surgery on my spine two years ago and changed my swing because of that.

"I was a little lost so I watched some old videos from the time I was playing well and wondered why.

"My son, who is also a professional, then told me that in the past my stance was much more open.

"I've been practising that for a couple of days and am hitting the ball stronger and I'm more comfortable."

Defending champion Vicente Fernandez carded a one-under-par 69 while the man he beat in a play-off 12 months ago, compatriot Eduardo Romero, had to settle for a level-par 70.

Sheffield's Neil Cheetham, joint eighth with Blackey in Sao Paulo last week, continued his good form with a two-under-par 68.

Londoner Anthony Wall and former amateur champion Graeme Storm also carded 68s.