Englishman Phil Golding admitted he is not on top of his game, despite holding a share of the WINSTONgolf Senior Open lead after the first round.
Golding is one of five golfers who started the day on four under par on the WINSTONlinks course in Vorbeck, Germany. Compatriots Gary Marks and Paul Wesselingh also shot 68, as did Austrian Gordon Manson and Australia’s Peter Fowler.
“Before I went out yesterday, I’d have been happy with a 68,” said the 53 year old. “But I don’t feel like I’m on my game, I feel like I’m struggling a bit.
“I scored well and made some good up and downs, but I left a few out there. I made one bogey on a par five, and that just feels like you’re giving a shot away – I had the wrong line with my tee shot and again with my second shot.
“The way I’m feeling over the ball, I’m struggling a little bit and I’m not that confident as to where the ball is going to go. I need a bit of work to get my striking back, but my misses were good, that’s what you mark the yardage book for.”
Despite his initial impressions, Golding was able to find the positives from a first round which included three birdies on the front nine, as well as birdies on the 13th and 17th holes.
After playing the WINSTONgolf Senior Open on the WINSTONopen course over the last four years, the 2016 edition has moved to the WINSTONlinks course, which presents a new challenge for the 60-man field.
“I’m pleased with the scoring,” he said. “I made three up-and-downs in a row just off the green on nine, ten and 11.
“Any player who shoots in the 60s will say they could have shot better. Any time you shoot under par, especially on a course like this, you’re happy.
“I’m still making notes on it as I go round, taking in the undulations and the different run-outs.
“I enjoyed the course, I liked the challenge and the links feel of it. It really is designed to be played from the back tees.
“I think it’s a fair course too. If you hit the fairways you have good shots to the greens. There are one or two unusual lies in the middle of a fairway, but that’s what you can expect with a links course.”
