SANDY LYLE set the early pace from a star-studded field in the Ryder Cup Wales Seniors Open at Conwy on Friday (June 13) with a three-under par 69.
After being +2 after nine holes with bogeys at the 5th and 8th holes, he had a blistering run of three birdies and eagle in the first six holes on the back nine.
That included an eagle three on the par 14th, to put him top of the leaderboard, a shot clear of New Zealander David Merrimen and two clear of Gordon Brand Jnr.
They were the only three players to beat par in the testing windy conditions.
A big gallery followed Ian Woosnam, but he described his round as "a battle" as he finished with a two over par 74.
After being two over par after five holes, he got it back to level, but then had a double bogey 7 at the 12th. He got a birdie back at the par 5 14th, but then dropped another shot at the 17th when he put his second shot into a greenside bunker, and missed a shortish putt for birdie at the 18th.
"As long as I can keep the ball on the fairways and hit the greens then I get still get back in it," he said afterwards.
He said: “I didn’t play particularly well today. It’s quite tricky out there with a lot of cross winds. You’ve got to try to get your ball in the right position and I think two over par was about right really.
“If you make sure you can par the difficult holes then make some birdies on the par fives that’s when you’ve got to do it. Unfortunately on the 12th hole I drove into a bush and made a double bogey and that’s where you don’t want to be dropping shots really
“It was great to see the crowds out there and see some old friends. They are obviously behind me and hopefully I can put a good score together for them tomorrow. You want to do your best for your home crowd but it can be difficult in front of them too. It’s not as good when you are not playing well.”
With the wind causing many of the players problems, defending champion Carl Mason struggled to a six-over par 78, despite a birdie on the last.
Constantino Rocca had a 75, Jose Rivero a 79, which included a double bogey 6 at the 18th, while Sam Torrance carded an 80, including a triple bogey 7 at the 4th.
Club professional John Barnett from Royal St David's (Harlech) carded a seven-over par 79 in his first European Seniors Tour round since having a heart by-pass operation two years ago.
He admitted he was nervous during the early stages, hitting five bunkers in his opening six holes, but steadied himself on the back nine.
"Once I got over the initial nerves I played OK," he said.
"My son Andrew was my caddie and he cooled me down. The course is in excellent condition and its like a game of chess out there."

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