McGovern lurking in Scotland
Paul Broadhurst. Picture: Getty Images
Brendan McGovern bogeyed his last two holes but still finished just four shots off the lead after an opening 70 in the Scottish Senior Open.
The Headfort man is tied for eighth on one-under par behind England's Paul Broadhurst, who fired a first round 66 at Renaissance Club to lead by one stroke from Magnus P Atlevi and Mike Harwood.
One shot further back is England’s Carl Mason, the record winner on the Senior Tour with 25 titles, and Barry Lane, Tim Thelen and Paul Wesselingh share fifth spot on two under par.
Philip Walton is tied for 28th after a 73 with Des Smyth (74) tied 34th, Ronan Rafferty (76) 44th and Eamonn Darcy 53rd in the 54-man field.
Scores after round one:
66 P Broadhurst (Eng),
67 M Atlevi (Swe), M Harwood (Aus),
68 C Mason (Eng),
69 B Lane (Eng), P Wesselingh (Eng), T Thelen (USA),
70 B McGovern (Irl), S Brown (Eng),
71 C Dennis (USA), C Williams (RSA), T Wiratchant (Tha), P Eales (Eng), J Sandelin (Swe), G Turner (Nzl), M McNulty (Irl), G Rusnak (USA),
72 S Tinning (Den), M Mouland (Wal), M Martin (Esp), S McAllister (Sco), R Chapman (Eng), D Gilford (Eng), S Dodd (Wal), J Remesy (Fra), J Sallat (Fra), C Suneson (Esp),
73 D Russell (Eng), C Monasterio (Arg), I Woosnam (Wal), P Walton (Irl), A Bossert (Sui), P O'Malley (Aus),
74 R Drummond (Sco), B Longmuir (Sco), D Smyth (Irl), B Conser (USA), G Wolstenholme (Eng), P Linhart (Esp), P Fowler (Aus),
75 G Orr (Sco), C Rocca (Ita), G Marks (Eng),
76 A Mednickson (Swe), R Rafferty (Nir), M Mackenzie (Eng), S Torrance (Sco), P Golding (Eng),
77 P Mitchell (Eng), A Oldcorn (Sco), S Luna (Esp), M Farry (Fra),
79 P Wilson (Eng), E Darcy (Irl),
** M James (Eng)
