Brendan McGovern will be left to rue a back nine that has severely jeopardised his chances of making the weekend’s play at the Senior US PGA Championship in Michigan. Brendan McGovern / Image from Getty Images Starting from the 10th, the Headfort professional was going along nicely having bounced back from two bogey fives with birdies at the par-5 15thand the par-3 17thto make the turn in level par. He consolidated his effort with pars over the next three holes before his good work was derailed by the first of three successive double bogeys at the par-3 4th. In a cruel twist of fate all too familiar in the game of golf, McGovern fell to six-over-par before dropping one more at the last to come home in 43 with a 78 total. He arrived in Harbor town a little worried about a lack of tournament sharpness telling us on Monday that “I wish I had five tournaments under my belt and not going into this one feeling like it’s my first.” And although he looked to be settling into his work nicely for a time, it’s hard to think that there wasn’t an element of that sharpness missing that led to his late collapse. With only one European Senior Tour event under his belt this year, it’s an understandable concern to have but there’s no doubt that Brendan won’t be using it as an excuse either. Let’s hope he can turn the tables in round two with a more favourable early draw and above all else, enjoy the experience. Six players lead the way on minus five in the $3million event with Barry Lane and Scott McCarron amongst them. Other notable players off to a sound start include Colin Montgomerie and Vijay Singh who are three shots off the lead on minus two while Miguel Angel Jimenez is a short further back after a one-under-par round to start.
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