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Norman Struggles To 75 At Senior British Open

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The Associated Press

The Tampa Tribune

Published: July 25, 2008

TROON, Scotland - Four days after nearly making history at the British Open, Greg Norman labored to a 4-over 75 Thursday in the opening round of the Senior British Open to finish seven shots behind co-leaders Bruce Vaughan and Eduardo Romero.

In sunny conditions at Troon, Norman bogeyed six of the first 10 holes and was 6 over before he finally birdied the par-4 13th. He birdied the final hole with a pitch to 3 feet.

"Things just weren't going my way early on," Norman said. "I just had to hang in there and gut it out the best I could. The ball just wasn't rolling my way."

The Australian said windy conditions, similar to the British Open, had an impact on his game.

"I got to the first tee and I never played this golf course in this wind before," Norman said. "I didn't feel that confident with some of the tee shots."

While Norman struggled, playing partner Tom Watson made every green and missed only one fairway in a bogey-free 70. Andy Bean, John Cook and Kirk Hanefield and Nick Job were one shot off the lead.
Craig Stadler hit a hole-in-one at the "postage stamp" eighth hole - the shortest in the history of the British Open - winning 123 bottles of wine, one for every yard, as a prize from a sponsor.

Stadler used a pitching wedge to the front of the green and the ball bounced twice before rolling in. He finished with a 74.

PGA: Mike Weir gave Canadian Open fans what they came to see on another rainy day at drenched Glen Abbey in Oakville, Ontario.

The Canadian icon shot a bogey-free 6-under 65 for a share of the lead with Anthony Kim and Eric Axley during the suspended first round. Only half of the players were able to finish the round that was delayed for 5 hours, 42 minutes.

LPGA: Lorena Ochoa shot a 7-under par 65 to take a one-stroke lead after the first round of the Evian Masters in France.

The 26-year-old Ochoa started with a birdie on the first hole and added six more on the back nine in a bogey-free round.

Ahn Sun-ju, Candie Kung and Angela Park trailed by one stroke.

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