Clark Dennis, Mark Mouland and Andrew Oldcorn fired first round scores of 63 to take a share of the lead after the first round of the Swiss Seniors Open.
The trio carded rounds of seven under par, with two eagles and 20 birdies between them in glorious conditions at Golf Club Bad Ragaz.
Oldcorn, winner of last year’s WINSTONgolf Senior Open, made nine birdies, the highest number of the day, and two bogeys as he took the clubhouse lead on seven under par.
“I’m very pleased, but I’m also exhausted,” said Oldcorn. “We were struggling on the last few holes with the heat, but I’m delighted with how I played and delighted to start the tournament like that.
“I made a small mistake on number six, I bogeyed that after a good start. Whenever I had any chances, I really hit my wedges close, which you have to do around this course. All my chances were within six feet. I was hanging on a bit at the end.
“As good as I was playing out there, when I got to seven under, I started thinking about 11 under. I know it sounds silly, but that’s the way I was playing. It’s very rare you get into a situation where you are seven under through 12 holes.”
Mouland was two shots adrift before an eagle on the par five 16th hole saw him draw level, and the Welshman narrowly missed a birdie on the last for the outright lead on eight under par.
Although disappointed not to move ahead, Mouland was pleased with his overall performance.
“I played fantastic all day,” said Mouland. “The highlight was the eagle on 16, I hit three iron twice, my second to eight feet, it was a shame to miss the putt on the last but I just misread it I think.
“No bogeys makes a change for me. My short game is sharp when I miss the greens, my putting a little sharper on occasions. So, overall, very delighted.
“The course is in great condition and the weather has been kind. It’s all set for good scoring on the weekend.”
American Clark Dennis, who earned his card at European Senior Tour Qualifying School in February, carded his lowest round since joining the Senior Tour, birdieing the last for a share of the lead.
