Van Phillips leads the Barbados Legends hosted by Ian Woosnam after a sensational opening round of 64 in windy conditions at Apes Hill, while Cameron Clark shot a level-par 71 to share 24th.
The Ballymena man, making just his second start since earning his card at Legends Tour Q-School back in January, was well-placed at two-under-par before he fell victim to the tricky par-5 18th and carded a double bogey to fall back to level-par while Gary Murphy struggled to a six-over 66 and sits tied for 58th.
Englishman Phillips grabbed the outright lead at -7 with a brilliant eagle at the par-five 18th that was set up by a high-class 5-iron to eight feet. The closing eagle three left him one clear of a group of four players at -6 that includes Ryder Cup star Jamie Donaldson, former British Masters winner Greg Owen, American Clark Dennis, a six-time winner on the Staysure Legends Tour, and the defending champion, Scott Hend.
Two shots further back, another quartet of proven winners lies in wait – this includes Keith Horne, Stephen Gallacher, Craig Farrelly and Brian Davis.
But it’s Phillips who leads the way after matching the course-record 64 posted by Hend on a dramatic final day 12 months ago. “It’s always good to lead,” said Phillips, who won the WINSTONGolf Senior Open in 2024. “I hit it really solid and putted well. That’s what you have to do when you shoot these kind of scores. I’ve been working on my game and played in America a couple of times this year which has been good for me as I’ve had a lot of golf coming in here. Hopefully I can keep it going.”
In order to claim a second Staysure Legends Tour win he will have to hold off some serious talent, including a resurgent Greg Owen. Fresh from victory at last year’s season finale – the MCB Mauritius Legends – in December, the former British Masters winner has hit the ground running in 2026 with a top-10 finish at the Staysure Marbella Legends and another at last week’s Senior PGA Championship in Florida.
“Everything’s great in my game at the moment,” he said after an impressive opening 65 that was also capped by a closing eagle. “I’ve simplified the way I think on the golf course, and been trying to keep it very much the same week in, week out. I don’t feel like I’m playing super golf, I just feel like I’m doing everything well and when you keep the same kind of thoughts going hopefully you can get the same results. I’m not trying to do anything special. I’m just keeping it quiet pretty well for me. It’s nice that it seems to be working at the moment as there are plenty of times in golf where you don’t get what you deserve.”
American Clark Dennis – a six-time winner on the Staysure Legends Tour – is also very much in the mix after his opening 65. “I’m very pleased with that and finishing with four birdies is always nice,” he said after a first tournament round of 2026. “I’ve been working on my fitness for my health, not necessarily for my golf, as I had some issues with my heart. It’s really working and I’m feeling good.
“I putted really well today. My son, Will, caddies on the PGA Tour for Sam Stevens, and I followed them in Houston where Sam finished fifth. I noticed that all the players were doing AimPoint so I’ve tried it and it really worked for me today.”
Former Ryder Cup player Jamie Donaldson is also at -6. The Welshman has already won twice on the Staysure Legends Tour since turning 50 late last year and is clearly in the mood for more silverware. “I played great today,” he said. “My irons were much better than they have been and I drove it nicely as well. I’m really enjoying the Barbados experience, it’s awesome. As a golf destination it’s incredible. The course is great, the beach is just down the road and the food’s awesome too – you can’t ask for much more, really.”
Elsewhere, Staysure Legends Tour debutant Henrik Stenson is at +1 after a mixed opening round, while tournament host Ian Woosnam is at +3, alongside 1999 Open champion Paul Lawrie.
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