Peter Lawrie recently clocked up a half century in years, and the former European Tour winner marked his Legends Tour debut with a three-under 68 at Costa Navarino’s Bay Course.
The 2008 Open de España winner reeled off four birdies over his opening eight holes in what was a dream opening nine on his competitive return. A bogey at 11 was rectified by a birdie at 13, but the 14th hole served as a sharp reminder that the game is always prepared to bite back and a double bogey-six saw him slip back to -2.
There was still time for one more highlight, however, and a birdie-three at the last saw him sign for a 68 that leaves him tied for 17th at the one third mark.
Gary Murphy is the other Irishman in the field but he’ll be disappointed with a one-over 72. Murphy made five birdies, but the damage mostly came on a two-hole stretch on the back nine, going triple, double on 15 and 16.
It was a day of low scoring, however, and Scott Hend and Robert Coles both shot 11-under 60s to hit the front, with Mikael Lundberg one further back at -10. There is a three shot gap back to Andrew Marshall in fourth and a further three players sit at -6.
Days two and three see the tournament move to the more difficult Jose Maria Olazabal designed Olympic Academy Course, so Lawrie’s gentle reinstatement will be severely ramped up.
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