After much anticipation The Senior Open Championship Presented by Rolex is under way, with early signs showing Royal Porthcawl will not be an easy task for the world-class field assembled in Wales.
The country’s first Senior Open has generated much interest with the likes of Colin Montgomerie, Tom Watson, Miguel Ángel Jimenéz and home favourite Ian Woosnam all vying for the prestigious title.
The honour of getting proceedings started fell to John Gould, who duly split the sunny fairways with a good opening tee shot.
Legends Watson, Montgomerie and Fred Couples followed at 9.20am, with Watson rolling back the years courtesy of a birdie at the first, to the delight of the large galleries.
Woosnam is in the group behind that marquee trio, but the early pace setter Bob Tway came from group 10 – the American is currently two under through six holes.
With the coastal setting of Royal Porthcawl providing a stunning backdrop to the links action, more fans will be out in force for the remainder of the day, with 2010 champion Bernhard Langer, Jimenéz and defending champion Mark Wiebe off at 1.20pm.
