Bruce Vaughan fired an early morning 66 to lead after the first round of the US Senior Open at Sahalee Country Club in Washington.
Two-shot lead for veteran at Sahalee
Bruce Vaughan fired an early morning 66 to lead after the first round of the US Senior Open at Sahalee Country Club in Washington.
The American's four-under-par round in cool conditions was enough for a two shot lead over Loren Roberts and amateur Tim Jackson, who led for two rounds 12 months ago.
Only five more players were able to break par on a scorching hot day that saw the greens get progressively quicker, and more difficult for the later starters.
Those on one under par included last week's Senior Open winner Bernhard Langer while Tom Watson and Fred Couples were among those on level par.
"It's just the first day. I mean, there is a lot of golf left and a lot of trouble out there for the next three days," Vaughan said.
Couples, playing his first Senior Open, grew up just 20 miles away but nearly saw his round unravel when a blocked tee shot on No. 1 - his 10th hole - plugged in a fern bush at the base of two cedars.
After taking an unplayable lie, Couples managed bogey, but made another two holes later to fall to three over par.
However, the former Masters champion rattled off a hat-trick of birdies to get back to level and remain in the hunt for the title.
"I think the score I shot is phenomenal," Couples said. "I would have taken 70 before the round started. I was very, very mediocre. I don't know what else to tell you. I can tell you I birdied three holes in a row, three good holes."
Watson got it to three under par but gave back all three shots in the closing four holes and blamed fatigue from traveling back from Carnoustie on Sunday evening.
"I'm tired and hurting," Watson said. "When you wake up at one o'clock in the morning and can't go back to sleep, it's tough to play."
