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| | Thursday, 25 July, 2002, 16:23 GMT 17:23 UK Sugai leads Senior Open  Tom Watson eagled the first hole at Royal County Down Japan's Noboru Sugai put the big names in the shade when he carded a four under par 67 to take a one-shot lead after the first day of the Senior British Open in Northern Ireland. But hot on his heels is five-time Open champion, Tom Watson, who carded a one under par 70 at Royal County Down, Newcastle. Tournament favourite Watson was quick into his stride with an eagle at the par five first hole but gave a shot back at the fourth. "It was one of those days, most of my shots were a bit off," said Watson. No problems "It is annoying because I felt the course was there for the taking. "When we went out, the wind was not blowing all that hard. It was very benign by Royal Co Down standards so I feel as if I have let an opportunity slip." Tournament leader, Sugai, had no such problems on a day in which just six members of the 132-man field managed to beat the par of 71. The 52-year-old has won four times on the Japan PGA Tour and three times on the Japan Senior Tour but has done little of note outside his own country.
However, helped by his caddie - local member Fergus MacFerran - he opened with two birdies on his first two holes. Then he produced further birdies at the ninth, 14th and 17th, bogeying only the 10th. "The key was good putting and good approach shots. I like this course," Sugai said. "Two years ago, on my first visit, I finished 18th and I have felt very comfortable ever since." His closest rival going into the second round is Scotland's Russell Weir, the club pro at Cowal, who opened with a 68. Weir's round began with a bang when he holed out from seven feet for an eagle on the par five first hole. Good day He also posted two other birdies on the 194 yard fourth and the seventh before playing the remaining 11 holes in level par. The strong Scottish contingent had a good day with Glenbervie pro John Chillas and former Hayston amateur Peter Kerr sharing third place on 69. England's Tony Allen, from Maxstoke Park, shared fifth place alongside Watson on 70 and John Bland, Ray Carrasco, Dan Halldorson, Martin Foster, John Irwin, John McTear and Barry Vivian all carded level par 71s. Ireland's Christy O'Connor made a disappointing start to his attempt to win what would be his third successive Senior British Open title. O'Connor won the championship in 1999 and 2002 but had to miss last year's event after breaking his ankle in an accident at the start of 2001. Now fully recovered, he could only post a disappointing two over par 73 which included three putts from seven feet on the last. Former US Open winner Tony Jacklin had to endure several such nightmares in a hugely disappointing round of 81 while defending champion Ian Stanley recorded a 75 which included a bogey six on the 18th. First round leaderboard 67 N Sugai (Jap) | |
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