CARNOUSTIE, Scotland — Jay Don Blake shot a 4-under-par 67 to lead a strong American showing in the opening round of the British Seniors Open at Carnoustie on Thursday.
Blake is in a three-way tie at the top of the leaderboard alongside Germany’s Bernhard Langer and England’s Carl Mason.
Below that trio, the only non-American in the next 17 places was Scotsman Sam Torrance, who shot a 69.
Among the Americans chasing the leaders were U.S. Ryder Cup captain Corey Pavin (69) and Tom Lehman (71).
Carnoustie, widely rated as the toughest links layout on the British Open championship rotation, is vastly different from most of the courses on the Champions Tour.
“It’s a golf course where you can’t be aggressive because you can’t fly the ball at flags like we are used to over in the courses we play in America,” said Blake, who had six birdies and two bogeys. “I have had to learn a whole new game, which is fun. It’s exciting, but it’s tough.
“I just tried to stay out of the death bunkers, as I call them, because it’s a certain one-shot penalty getting in them.” PGA Delahoussaye shoots 62
TORONTO - Brent Delahoussaye shot an 8-under-par 62 to match the Canadian Open record, making an eagle, seven birdies and a bogey in perfect scoring conditions at historic St. George’s.
Delahoussaye, the 29-year old former Clemson player whose lone professional victory came in the 2006 Hooters Tour Classic, started on the ninth hole and played the front nine - his first and last eight holes - in 6-under 28. Because of logistical problems, the players started on Nos. 1 and 9 instead of the usual first and 10th.
Four other players have shot 62s in the Canadian Open, the first three at Glen Abbey. Leonard Thompson set the mark in 1981, Andy Bean matched it in 1983, both at a par of 71, and Greg Norman did it in 1986, when par was 72. Hunter Mahan had a 9-under 62 at Angus Glen in 2007.
Delahoussaye, in the last group of the day off the ninth tee, also broke the course record of 64 set by Canadian George Knudson in 1968, the last time the national championship was played at the Stanley Thompson-designed course.
Vance Veazey and Brock Mackenzie opened with 64s, and Mahan, Dean Wilson, Charley Hoffman, Jimmy Walker, Rich Barcelo, Steve Wheatcroft, Spencer Levin, Daniel Chopra and Brian Stuard had 65s.
John Daly (Dardanelle,Arkansas Razorbacks) shot a 1-under 69 with an eagle, three birdies and four bogeys. Bryce Molder (Conway) shot a par 70 with four birdies and four bogeys. Glen Day (Little Rock) shot a 1-over 71 with four birdies and five bogeys. Brenden Pappas (Arkansas Razorbacks) shot a 1-over 71 with four birdies, three bogeys and a double bogey.
LPGA
Pressel leads Evian
EVIAN-LES-BAINS, France - Morgan Pressel of the United States birdied the first three holes and finished with a 6-under-par 66 to lead after the first round of the Evian Masters.
Melissa Reid of England and Sun-Ju Ahn of South Korea each birdied the last hole to join her in the lead.
Stacy Prammanasudh (Conway) shot 1-under 71. Stacy Lewis (Arkansas Razorbacks) shot a 1-over 73.
NATIONWIDE Kaye ahead by two
COLUMBUS, Ohio - Jonathan Kaye shot an 8-under-par 63 for a two-stroke lead over Scott Brown in the Children’s Hospital Invitational.
Ken Duke (Arkadelphia, Henderson State) shot a 2-under 69. Tag Ridings (Arkansas Razorbacks) shot a 1-under 70. Scott Gardiner (Farmington) shot a par 71. Ron Whittaker (Little Rock) shot a 3-over 74.
Sports, Pages 24 on 07/23/2010