Barry Lane, Peter Fowler and Andrew Oldcorn opened their accounts at the US Senior Open with level par rounds to lead the European Senior Tour challenge early on day one in Michigan but former US Open Champion Tom Kite set the target after a blistering start.
The three Senior Tour stars matched par at Indianwood Golf and Country Club but all the morning starters where overshadowed by Kite as he raced to the turn in seven under par 28, the lowest nine holes of any USGA major event. But after an eagle and five birdies on the front nine, Kite made eight pars and a double on the back to come back to the field with a five under par 65.
Starting at the tenth, Oldcorn made three bogeys on his first nine with just the one birdie but picked up two shots coming home, including a birdie on his final hole. The former PGA Champion has already finished runner-up twice this season and currently lies fifth on the Senior Tour Order of Merit.
Fowler, winner of the John Jacobs Trophy as number one last season, had a very similar card to Oldcorn with nines of 37 and 33, while Lane mixed four birdies with four dropped shots to also card a 70.
