Victorian Richard Green has continued his trend of finishing day one of a major championship up the pointy end of the leaderboard as play at The Senior Open Championship presented by Rolex got underway overnight at Carnoustie.
Â
The tall left-hander is in a share of second after an opening round 3-under 69, one shot back of leader Stephen Ames.
Â
The next best placed Australian is Scott Hend in solo sixth, the Queenslander opening with a 2-under 70, highlighted by an eagle at the par-5 12th.
Â
New Zealander Steven Alker is just one shot further back after a 1-under 71, while Australian pair Peter O’Malley and Greg Chalmers find themselves in a share of 19th at even-par.
Â
No other Australasians managed to break par at Carnoustie on the opening day, but with the leader at 4-under, many are only one good round from clawing back into contention.
Â
Having held the course record for 10 years, Green said post-round that he was very pleased to be back at the Scottish links he holds such cherished memories of.
Â
“It’s great to come back to Carnoustie after a lot of experience here, you know through The Opens that I’ve played, and the Dunhill Links tournaments that I’ve played,” he said.
Â
“To go out there a shoot a score on this course is very rewarding.”
Â
Taking a little bit of time to get going, Green opened with eight-straight pars, before back-to-back birdies at nine and ten got the momentum going at the turn.
Â
A further two birdies at 14 and 17, with a sole bogey sandwiched in at 15, marked a fairly stress free round for Green.
Â
“No doubt it’s extremely challenging, and really difficult, we all know that,” Green said of Carnoustie.
Â
“But it just seems to pull out great golf when you score well, and I like that, I’ve been hitting some good golf shots lately and I’m getting a bit of reward for it.”
Â
Green was also asked post-round about his close calls in majors this year, and where his confidence levels are at.
Â
“Yeah it’s up there a little bit, but I’m still pretty humble about my golf. I understand it’s difficult to win against the calibre of the field that’s here,” he said.
Â
“I’m just going to go about it each day at a time, and do what I’ve got to do to put myself in with another chance on Sunday.
Â
“Those two results (second and third in 2024 majors) obviously have built some confidence over those big events, and hopefully I can get there again on Sunday.”
Â
Australasian scores
T2 Richard Green -3
6 Scott Hend -2
T7 Steven Alker (NZ) -1
T19 Peter O’Malley E
T19 Greg Chalmers E
T28 Rod Pampling +1
T42 John Senden +2
T42 David McKenzie +2
T42 Jason Norris +2
T42 Michael Long (NZ) +2
T61 Peter Fowler +3
T61 Michael Campbell (NZ) +3
T78 Steve Allan +4
T91 Michael Wright +5
T108 Vijay Singh (FIJI) +6
T108 Mark Hensby +6
T146 Stuart Appleby +9