Alexandre One Shot Off Lead After Superb Opening Round at Gleneagles

Frenchman Lionel Alexandre will head into the second round of the ISPS HANDA Senior Open as Cameron Percy’s closest challenger after producing a flawless six-under-par 64 at Gleneagles.

Alexandre carded six birdies without dropping a shot on the King’s Course to finish alone in second place, just one stroke behind Australia’s Percy, who fired a seven-under 63 to take the opening-round lead.

The Frenchman made his first birdie of the day at the seventh before gathering momentum with further gains at the ninth, tenth, 12th, 14th and 18th to cap an impressive bogey-free round.

“Today it was really, really cool,” he said. “My caddie is a really good friend. We joke a lot on the course.

“No, I just take it as a regular tournament on the Tour. I see the same guys. Maybe some, a few more names that are playing in the States but no, it’s a normal tournament.

“I’m going to try to manage for three more rounds and then we’ll see at the end.”

Only Percy managed to better Alexandre’s score on Thursday, making the most of the calm morning conditions before reeling off four consecutive birdies from the ninth as part of his opening 63.

“I drove it really good but you have to here,” Percy said. “I didn’t hit in the rough once and so that was really nice.

“Seemed to have really good numbers, and I stopped pretty close to the hole and made a couple of putts. The par fives, I drove on in two and the short par four I drove, and that helped.

“Sunningdale was incredible last year. Any time I can come over here and play golf, I’m very happy.

“I’ve never been here before. But I found something late yesterday. The last four holes I hit it really nicely, and did it again today. Hopefully I’ll keep doing that and I’ll be okay.”

Four-time Major Champion Ernie Els, 2018 Senior Open champion Miguel Ángel Jiménez and American Tom Pernice Jr. share third place on five under par, while recent OFX Irish Legends champion Johan Edfors is among the players tied for seventh on four under after an opening-round 66.

With three rounds still to play, Alexandre is perfectly placed to challenge for one of the biggest titles in senior golf as he looks to chase down Percy over the next three rounds.

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