Stephen Ames, the Canadian golf maestro, grabbed the spotlight at The Senior Open, seizing the first-round lead with a four-under-par 68 at the notoriously challenging Carnoustie Golf Links.
This marks the second time in his career that Ames has led after the first round of this prestigious event.
Having already bagged two PGA TOUR Champions victories in 2024, Ames showcased his skill and composure amidst the unpredictable Scottish coastal winds.
His performance on the first day set him apart from the pack, with a clutch birdie on the 18th hole putting him a stroke ahead of four competitors tied for second place.
Navigating the tricky conditions with the precision of a seasoned pro, Ames began his round with back-to-back birdies on the fourth and fifth holes, making the turn at two under.
His prowess continued on the back nine, where he capitalized on the par fives with birdies on the 12th and 14th holes.
Despite a hiccup on the par-three 16th where he dropped his only shot of the day, Ames finished strong with a decisive birdie on the final hole.
Ames’ superb round left him a shot clear of his playing partner, Paul Broadhurst, alongside Peter Baker, KJ Choi, and Richard Green, all tied for second at three under.
Broadhurst, who tasted victory at Carnoustie in 2016, made a remarkable comeback with a scorching 31 on the back nine after a rocky start, positioning himself well for a second Senior Open title.
Making his debut at The Senior Open, Australian Scott Hend carded an impressive two-under 70 to sit in sixth place.
Meanwhile, former Ryder Cup captains Thomas Bjørn and Pádraig Harrington ended their rounds one shot further back, both posting solid one-under-par scores.
Player Insights
Stephen Ames reflected on his round with a mix of satisfaction and self-critique, noting, “Hit some good shots and I missed a lot of putts out there, unfortunately, for birdies.
But I think overall, the pace of play kind of hindered us a little bit coming down at the end there.
So that kind of threw me off-balance. But I think overall this is a good test here this week for us. So I quite enjoyed the 68.”
As the tournament progresses, the competition promises to heat up with a stellar lineup of seasoned golfers all eyeing the coveted Senior Open trophy.
Stay tuned as the drama unfolds on the historic links of Carnoustie.
