There is a five-way tie at the top of the Senior Open Championship Presented by Rolex as five golfers carded first rounds of three under par.
The Americas are dominant at the top of the leaderboard as Tom Byrum, Wes Short Jnr and Scott McCarron from the United States, Mexico’s Esteban Toledo and Paraguayan Carlos Franco all scored 69 at Carnoustie Golf Links.
Franco, brother of European Senior Tour member Angel, secured his place in the 30th edition of the Senior Open after qualifying at Panmure Golf Club on Monday.
“To shoot three under par on a links course is not very easy, especially at Carnoustie,” Franco said. “We were lucky with the weather today, so you have to take your opportunities and make a good score.
“I’m so happy because it’s been so long since I shot three under par in a Major.”
McCarron, a year on from making his debut on the over-50s circuit, joins Franco at the top of the leaderboard.
Scott McCarron
“I’m very happy,” the American said. “Any time you can go bogey-free at Carnoustie is something special. Obviously, we didn’t have a lot of wind today, but it was enough to keep you guessing.
“I love playing over here. I played the Scottish Open in 1996 here at Carnoustie and just fell in love with this style of golf. It’s my favourite style of golf – you can be very creative.”
Bernhard Langer, who goes in search of his third Senior Open title, scored a one under par 71 and crowd favourite Miguel Angel Jiménez is one of five players in eighth place after shooting two under par. Marco Dawson started the defence of his Senior Open title with a level par 72.
