Ernie Els found himself nine shots off the lead on Thursday after the first round of the Bridgestone Senior Players Championship at Firestone Country Club in Akron, Ohio after he carded a two-over 72 in the first round.
Els made two birdies and four bogeys in his round, and was in a share of 24th with nine other players behind leader Steve Stricker, who signed for a seven-under-par 63. He led by four from fellow American Ken duke and England’s Paul Broadhurst.
Retief Goosen and David Frost were in a share of 34th, one stroke back from Els, on three-over 73.
Stricker decided at the last minute to play the Bridgestone Senior Players Championship instead of on the PGA Tour, and he made it pay off. He holed a bunker shot on the par-three 12th for a birdie, ran off three straight birdies at the end of his opening nine holes and kept bogeys off his card for his seven-under 63.
Only seven players broke par on the day.
