Mixed bag for Woosie in Scotland

IT was a mixed first day for the four-strong Welsh contingent in the star-studded Senior Open Championship Presented by Rolex at Carnoustie.

Former Masters winner and world No.1 Ian Woosnam had a mixed bag of a day but came out of his first round on one over par.

The Jersey-based 2006 Ryder Cup-winning captain had an uneventful front-nine containing two bogeys and a birdie at the sixth before en eventful round got into full swing after the turn for home as three birdies from the 12th was soon handed back with a double bogey at the 15th and another dropped shot at the next hole.

In the end it all added up to a one-over-par 73.

Penarth’s Mark Mouland had moment in the sun as birdies at the third and fifth holes had the two-time former European Tour winner at the top of the leaderboard and looking down at defending champion Bernhard Langer and 2010 Ryder Cup winning captain Colin Montgomerie.

But that was as good as it got for the 55-year-old and his round began to unravel from the seventh with three successive bogeys.

But there was worst to come on the back nine as three double bogeys, two of them coming at the 17th and closing hole, eventually saw Mouland end on six over par.

Barry Islander Stephen Dodd, playing in his first Senior Tour event after turning 50 last Friday, got his new status off to a terrific start, finishing tied ninth on two under.