Graham Marsh looked impressive in his first round at Laurel Valley Golf Club in Ligonier, Pennsylvania as he shot a 4-under 68. Marsh was able to take advantage of the warmer temperatures and clear skies on Thursday to take the first round lead at the Senior PGA Champioships.
The real story of the first round could be Hale Irwin’s quest for a fifth Senior PGA Championship. Irwin was able to birdie three of his last four holes to finish at 3-under par, one back of Marsh. Irwin trails only Sam Snead for most Senior PGA Championship victories. A victory at the 66th Championship would mean he only trails Snead by one.
Marsh sits one stroke in front of Irwin, Canadian Tour Player Dave Barr, Tom McKnight and R.W. Eaks.
Eaks is a former Colorado basketball star who spent much of the 1990’s playing on the Nationwide Tour. He has attempted to qualify for the Champions Tour three of the last four years. Eaks left a few shots on the course, but could have also added a few more to his card after he snapped-hooked a 3-wood into the water on hole 15. He was able to make a great save for bogey and keep his round in the red.
McKight, a former convenience store owner, put together five birdies and two bogies, while Barr looks to continue his tough play at the Championships after finishing in a tie for fourth last year at the Senior PGA Championship.
Curtis Strange is amongst a group of players who shot a 2-under 70. Strange birdied three of his first four holes for his only birdies of the day then bogeying 16 and 17 before finishing with an eagle at the par-5 18th. Joining Strange at 2-under include Ray Floyd, Bob Gilder, Jerry Pate, and Houston Club Professional Perry Arthur.
Irwin is a four-time winner and defending champion of the Senior PGA Championship and holds the record for most wins on the Champions Tour at 43. He added another record on Thursday, shooting his 18 career round in the 60s. His first round 69 gave him the record that he shared with Snead at 17 rounds.
Marsh has struggled this year on the Champions Tour, with only one top-ten finish and struggling with a 56th and 68th place finishes in his last two events.
Course designer and sentimental favorite Arnold Palmer struggled in his first round, shooting a 10-over par 82. Arnie has admitted that he’s not trying to compete with the other players but is playing for the enjoyment the game gives him.
Throughout the practice rounds, the weather had been cold and damp at the Arnold Palmer-designed course. Thursday’s weather helped shorten the 7,107 yard course by drying it out. It’s most likely one of the longest courses that the Champions Tour will play this year.
Pos Player R1 Tot 1 Graham Marsh -4 68 T2 Dave Barr -3 69 T2 R.W. Eaks -3 69 T2 Hale Irwin -3 69 T2 Tom McKnight -3 69 T6 Perry Arthur -2 70 T6 Ray Floyd -2 70 T6 Bob Gilder -2 70 T6 Hajime Meshiai -2 70 T6 Jerry Pate -2 70 T6 Mike Reid -2 70 T6 Curtis Strange -2 70
Photo Credit: © Andy Lyons/Getty Images.
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