It was a tricky day on the ‘Links Course’ at WINSTONgolf with a solid breeze and some tough pins meaning only 16 players broke par. It was a fluid leaderboard with untimely dropped shots and one or two big numbers halting the progress of some players who made bright starts.
Alexandre signed for the only bogey-free round of the day, with three of his five birdies coming in the last four holes. It could have been even better for the Qualifying School graduate after two fantastic shots into the par-5 18th, but his 10-foot eagle effort swung low of the hole.
“It’s only the first day so I tried to keep focussed and patient,” said the Frenchman, who has a best finish this season of tied-11th at the Jersey Legends.
“It worked. I hit it really well. I think I hit 17 greens in regulation and only missed the first one. My putting was better – and that’s key on these greens. It’s a long course, so it suits me well because I’m a long hitter. I’m really happy. Two more rounds to come and I hope I can do as well as I did today.”
MCB Road to Mauritius number one Peter Baker and 2018 WINSTONgolf Senior Open champion Stephen Dodd are tied-2nd on -4. Dodd teed off on the 10th and played his front nine in level par with two birdies and two bogeys before circling four red numbers on the way home. Baker notched five birdies, with his only dropped shot coming on the par-5 6th.
Greg Owen has four top-10s in a row, including a runner-up finish at the Staysure PGA Seniors Championship, and he continued his good form with an opening 69. Raymond Russell is alongside him on -3. The Scot was -3 through eight holes and recovered well from back-to-back bogeys at 10 and 11 with birdies at 13 and 18.
Legends Tour debutant Scott Hend, former Ryder Cup player Niclas Fasth, three-time Challenge Tour winner Robert Coles and last year’s MCB Road to Mauritius number one James Kingston are on -2. Three-time winner this season Adilson da Silva started the week with a level-par 72.
Visit www.legendstour.com to see the full leaderboard, second round tee times and find out more about the WINSTONgolf Senior Open at WINSTONgolf, Germany.
