Rod Pampling takes early US Senior Open lead
Rod Pampling during today’s first round – photo USGA
Australian Rod Pampling has the lead after the opening day of the US Senior Open at Sentry World in Stevens Point in Wisconsin, his opening round of 3 under 68 opening up a two-shot lead on a field which includes some of the game’s greatest players of the modern era.
Pampling leads over Spain’s Miguel Angel Jimenez, South African Retief Goosen and American Mike Small.
Pampling, who is currently in 27th place on the PGA Tour Champions Charles Schwab table made the turn in 2 under 34 and was heading for a sizable early lead until a double bogey at his 16th hole but he bounced back with a birdie at the 17th to claim the early lead which he would hold on to all day.
Pampling, who has recorded two top tens in 12 starts this season on the PGA Tour Champions, indicated after his round how happy he had been with his game leading into the event.
“It was obviously a fun day. I’d been playing well for the last month or so. To get here and see the course, it felt good.
“I drove it really well and made a lot of birdies out there. Just the one hole made a little mistake on, tried to get a little too aggressive.
“On the whole, I putted it really well, which was nice to see the balls going in. It’s nice to get a good view of the greens and can pick the breaks early on.”
Other Australasians in the field included Richard Green who opened with a solid round of even par to be tied for 5th, US based teaching professional, Mick Smith, at 3 over, Steve Alker and Mark Hensby 4 over, Stuart Appleby 5 over, Michael Campbell 6 over, German based teaching pro, Paul Archbold, 9 over and Peter Fowler 13 over.
