Stephen Ames claimed the first round lead at The Senior Open Presented by Rolex for the second time in his career after an opening four under par 68 at Carnoustie Golf Links.
The Canadian, who has two PGA TOUR Champions victories already in 2024, shared the 18-hole advantage at Gleneagles in 2022 and is out on his own after the first day in Angus, with a birdie at the last seeing him pull one clear of a four-strong chasing pack.
It was a dry but windy day on the Scottish coast, but Ames navigated the tricky conditions well, with back-to-back birdies at the fourth and fifth seeing him make the turn at two under.
The 60-year-old took advantage of the par fives on the back nine with birdies at both the 12th and 14th, before dropping his only shot of the day at the par three 16th.
The eight-time PGA TOUR Champions winner then holed a good birdie putt at the last to move clear of playing partner Paul Broadhurst and his fellow Englishman Peter Baker, Korea’s KJ Choi and Australian Richard Green, who all share second on three under.
"I hit some good shots and I missed a lot of putts out there, unfortunately, for birdies," Ames said.
"I think overall, the pace of play kind of hindered us a little bit coming down at the end there. So that kind of threw me off-balance.
"I think overall this is a good test here this week for us. So I quite enjoyed the 68."
Broadhurst, who claimed his maiden Senior Major title at this venue in 2016, came home in just 31 shots – five under – after a two over par front nine to start his hunt for a second Senior Open trophy in fine fashion.
The Englishman called a one-stroke penalty on himself after failing to connect with a short putt on the seventh hole, but was otherwise pleased with his efforts on the opening day.
"Made a bit of a mess down the seventh. I hit a poor tee shot, and had to declare a penalty on myself.
"I don't know, my balance wasn't quite right, and I sort of pulled out of it. Putter went past the ball, I checked with the referee. I had made a legitimate attempt at it but I sort of went back and didn't get to the ball. So I had to call that.
"It was tough. I just sort of was getting it around. Back nine was a little bit better. Downwind is a little bit easier, and nice birdie at ten, which is a bit of a bonus. You don't normally expect to birdie ten."
Australian Scott Hend, competing in his first Senior Open, posted an opening two under par round of 70 to sit sixth, while former Ryder Cup Captains Thomas Bjørn and Pádraig Harrington are among the group a shot further back on one under.
