Stadler surges into lead
Craig Stadler equalled the lowest first-round score in US Senior Open history with a seven-under-par 64 and has a one-shot lead over Tom Purtzer after the first round.
It was an unusually low-scoring day for a USGA event with 17 rounds in the 60s and 30 players managing to break par.
While Stadler has the lead there are plenty of big names lurking, including Greg Norman and Senior British Open champion Tom Watson, who are both just four shots back.
Stadler hit 16 greens, second only to Norman’s 17, and carded six birdies. ‘The Walrus’ eagled the par-five sixth and played the par-fives in four-under.
“I drove the ball well. I think I missed two fairways, maybe three,” Stadler said.
“I got away with three wayward swings, other than that I just put it in the fairway all day and hit some good iron shots. The greens are so soft as you see, you just fire at the hole and it stays right there.”
Starting on the 10th, Stadler birdied his first two holes and added another birdie at 15. He suffered his only bogey of the day at 18 and finished his first nine in 33. He got hot on his final nine, carding a 31, including a birdie-eagle-birdie stretch starting on the fifth.
“Starting out like I did is wonderful. I played well last week so I expected to have somewhat of a decent week this week,” Stadler said.
“You go out wanting to shoot 64 or 63 every day. I don’t think anybody expects to shoot 63 or 64 every day but it’s certainly nice when it happens.”
Playing in his second Champions Tour event, Loren Roberts shot a 66 and is in third. Bruce Fleisher is another shot back in fourth.
