Ross Drummond and Terry Price lead the Pon Senior Open after a pair of five under par 67s saw them establish a one-stroke lead over Bernhard Langer in his native Germany.
The Scotsman and the Australian took advantage of the better early conditions at the outstanding Winston Golf resort to set a clubhouse target that could not be matched, with Langer coming closest with his four under 68.
The English duo of Mark Belsham and Gordon J Brand, as well as Australian Mike Harwood, share fourth place on three under, but the day belonged to Drummond and Price.
Price could not help dwelling on a few missed opportunities that would have ensured “the round I am really looking for to get back in the game”, but he was generally pleased with his performance.
The Australian has enjoyed a consistent season on the 2012 Senior Tour, but is still searching for the truly low round that he hopes will kick-start a glorious end to the campaign.
“That round was very close to being the one I need to make me feel really good about my game again,” said Price, who fired six birdies and just a single dropped shot over the demanding Winston Open course at the outstanding Winston Golf resort in northern Germany.
“I played pretty well and the conditions were pretty tough out there at times, but I left a few shots out there so it wasn’t quite the round I need to get my confidence really back up to where I need it.
“That has kind of ben the story of my year out here really: a few good round here and there but never really putting it together for a whole week. That’s why the results have been pretty average.
“But I played nicely in the final round at Woburn last week and then I have managed to come here and continue that a little bit, so maybe this can be the week where I finally crack it.”
Drummond meanwhile made a very similar assessment of his first round. Having made a lightning fast start of four birdies in his opening six holes, the Scot was a little disappointed not to push on and record a really low score.
“After the start I made I suppose it could have been better but it was tough out there and I am happy enough with the start.
“I didn’t play as well today as I did last week at Woburn, but I wasn’t far away from that and it is always nice to continue some good scoring form into the next week having played well last week.”
Drummond’s first round was just a few inches from being transformed from a decent day at the office to an unforgettable one after his approach to the par three seventh hole brushed past the cup to narrowly miss out on a hole in one.
Had he made the ace, the 51 year old drive would have been driving home to Scotland in the brand new Porsche Panamera on offer to the first professional to hole in one.
“I was about a cup’s width from holing out,” smiled Drummond. “That is probably the closest I will ever come to getting my hands on a Porsche!”
