Jack Nicklaus made his intentions clear from the outset on the first day of the Senior British Open at the sun-drenched Royal County Down links this morning.
The Bear, who yesterday admitted to adjusting his swing to accommodate a hamstring injury, took advantage of the assisting northerly breeze at the start of his round.The 51-year-old made eagle at the par five first before consolidating his share of the early lead with three more pars.
The 502-yard opening hole is already proving a happy hunting ground for the seniors.There have been four eagles and one albatross with only one third of the field under way.
American Tommy Price used a drive and a three-wood to complete the first in just two shots, but he followed that with a double-bogey at the third.
At two-under, Nicklaus is joined by last year’s runner-up, John Bland.The South African also made eagle on the opening hole followed by four pars.
New Zealand’s Simon Owen, playing in the same group as Nicklaus, also shares the lead having made birdies at the second and fourth.
Dave Stockton, the two-time US PGA Champion, is the final member on two-under.The American birdied the opening two holes.