Young seniors Terry Price and Peter Fowler have taken a two shot lead at the 2012 ISPS Handa Australian Senior Open after fine but windy conditions during Round 1 at Royal Perth Golf Club. As the rain cleared across Perth, players teed off with their amateur partners testing their games on the highly regarded but taxing course. Price who was the first player to tee off on the 9th hole this morning, got off to a positive start with a birdie on the short but narrow par 5. He backed it up with a birdie on the par 3 eleventh hole before an unfortunate bogey on 13. Turning at 2 under the card, Price continued his momentum with further birdies on 3, 4, 7 and 9 with only one further blemish on the par 4 fifth hole. Peter Fowler also proved his continuing form displaying an impressive bogey free round of 67 with birdies on 3, 8, 9, 11 and 18. Fowler who narrowly missed his tour card for the 2013 US Champions Tour at Qualifying School two weeks ago, entered the tournament in strong form following another successful year on the European Seniors Tour where he currently sits in 4th place on the Order of Merit. Fowler and Price lead the field by 2 shots over Canadian Ken Tarling who shot 3 under par 69 with fellow European Senior Tour member David Merriman close behind on 2 under 70. Other notables include past champion Peter Senior who shot 1 under par 71 along with Andrew Argus from the Asia Pacific Champions Tour, Anthony Gilligan and Jeff Woodland. Former test cricket legend Dean Jones struggled on the slick Royal Perth greens returning an opening round of 78. He is tied with major winner Ian Baker-Finch who also signed for a 78. Terry Price s strong play teamed with amateur partner and Royal Perth member Hans Schutte s local knowledge sees the pair tied for the lead in the Stableford Teams competition on a score of 45 points. Price and Schutte share the lead with Lucien Tinkler and Greg Green. Fowler s bogey free round also ensures he and playing partner Mack Hall are not far off the pace on 43 points.
Author: Golf Australia