R&A : British Senior Open : Leaderboard Tee Times
Steven Alker continued his excellent record at this year’s senior majors as he set the early pace on the opening day of the ISPS HANDA Senior Open at Sunningdale.
The New Zealander, who has a runner-up finish and two further T10's in the four prior prestige events in the 50 and over ranks this season, holds a one-shot lead after carding a -7 63.
Australia’s Mark Hensby, a fellow starter in the morning wave, is his nearest challenger after he had initially set the clubhouse target with a -6 64 that featured five birdies over the opening five holes.
Defending champion KJ Choi of South Korea, who is experiencing the challenge posed by the historic Old Course at Sunningdale for the first time, is in a T3 at -4 alongside American Joe Durant, with wet and cool conditions making scoring tougher for the afternoon groups.
Alker, who turns 54 on Monday, is bidding to win his second Senior major title, three years on from his first at the Senior PGA Championship.
He mixed three birdies with a bogey over the front nine, before producing a flawless back nine that featured three further birdies and an eagle at the par five 13th.
"I was just efficient today," he said.
"Drove it in the fairway when I needed to and iron play was solid and just made some putts, especially on the back nine, just kind of kept things rolling.
Alker, who won his first Legends Tour title in Mexico last year, is making his first competitive appearance at this week's venue since competing in a boys amateur championship in 1988.
"I remember walking around here on Monday and I recognized about five holes, he said. but I just love the walk. I knew I was coming to a special place with some good vibes. So it's been a long time but it has not changed much at all."
Hensby flew out of the blocks on Thursday and was six under at the turn. Of the latter starters, Ernie Els and Miguel Ángel Jiménez, who produced his trademark jig of delight after a hole-out eagle at the third, were among a big group to finish the day at -3 alongside Pádraig Harrington, Retief Goosen and Arjun Atwal among others.
"I was with a good group," said Els, who played alongside Jiménez and Angel Cabrera. The guys were scrambling and grinding, so it kind of kept everybody going. I've got to be satisfied with a three under first round, you know. I'm not out of it. Try and move tomorrow."
edit>>> Canada's Stephen Ames opened with a -1 69 T16 while Canadian Golf Professional of the Year 2024, Gordon Burns was T43 E 70.
europeantour.com
Bryan Angus
No comments:
Post a Comment