TORRANCE SHARES LEAD WITH MASON IN
BENDINAT LONDON SENIORS MASTERS By STEVEN FRANKLIN
European Seniors Tour Press Officer.

Sam Torrance is hoping to move his European Seniors Tour season up a gear at The London Golf Club, near Brands Hatch, Kent, this weekend after an opening round of four under par 68 gave him a share of the lead in the Bendinat London Seniors Masters.
The former Ryder Cup Captain won this tournament two years ago en route to capturing the the over-50s' Order of Merit, but this time he needs a strong performance to kick-start a subdued start to the season and will go into Saturday's second round tied at the top with England's Carl Mason, a winner in Wales last week.
The pair lead by one stroke from England's Tony Allen, José Rivero of Spain and Jerry Bruner of the United States, who were all round in 69.
Costantino Rocca of Italy and Eamonn Darcy of Ireland are among a group on two under par 70. In the past two years Torrance has won seven times and finished as Europe's top Senior golfer on both occasions. A finger injury has hampered his progress this season but recent top-tens in Ireland and Jersey were evidence that he is feeling better, as was today's four under par score in blustery conditions around the Jack Nicklaus-designed Heritage Course at The London Golf Club.
"I am delighted as I played really nicely. To be honest I never really holed anything until a 25 footer at 17 for par and then a nice putt for birdie at the last," commented Torrance, who put together five birdies against a lone dropped shot.
"It has been a slow start to the season, but the game is very solid now and everything is heading in the right direction. Obviously I need to win soon or otherwise the Order of Merit is gone. I am playing well enough for that and I really like this golf course."
Ross Drummond, who is in his maiden season on the European Seniors Tour, continued his early promise with a round of 70 that included an eagle 3 at the 563yd eighth hole.The Prestwick golfer finished in a tie for second place at last week's Ryder Cup Wales Seniors Open and has registered two other top 10 finishes from six tournaments to date.
Aberdonian John Chillas was round in one under par 71 and Torrance-based Mike Miller, who had a hole-in-one during one of the tournament's pro-Am competitions, had a two over par 74.
Fellow Scot Bill Longmuir, who is attached to The London Golf Club, could not take advantage of 'home advantage' as he carded a 75, as did Bill McColl.
Dundee's Steve Martin had a 78 while Martin Gray was the worst of the Scots with a 79.
Tony Jacklin, making his golfing comeback in this event ahead of The Open at Carnoustie, showed signs of rust with a 79.
FIRST ROUND SCOREBOARD
Par 72.
68 Sam Torrance (Sco), Carl Mason (Eng).
69 Tony Allen (Eng), José Rivero (Esp), Jerry Bruner (US).
70 Eamonn Darcy (Ire), Costantino Rocca (Ita), Robin Mann (Eng), Jim Rhodes (Eng), Glenn Ralph (Eng), Gordon J Brand (Eng), Ross Drummond (Sco).
71 Pete Oakley (USA), Tony Johnstone (Zim), John Chillas (Sco), Juan Quiros (Esp), Simon Owen (Nzl).
72 Tim Rastall (Eng), Jim Lapsley (Nzl), Martin Poxon (Eng), John Bland (RSA).
73 Gery Watine (Fra), Bob Cameron (Eng), Andrew Murray (Eng), John Mashego (RSA), David Creamer (Eng), Bobby Lincoln (RSA), Nick Job (Eng).
74 Maurice Bembridge (Eng), Ian Mosey (Eng), Giuseppe Cali (Ita), Andrew Reynolds (Eng), Stewart Ginn (Aus), Terry Gale (Aus), Mike Miller (Sco), Bruce Heuchan (Can), John Benda (USA), Jean Pierre Sallat (Fra). 75 Craig Defoy (Wal), Bill McColl (Sco), Seiji Ebihara (Jap), Bill Longmuir (Sco), Kevin Spurgeon (Eng), David Good (Aus), Bob Larratt (Eng).
76 Bertus Smit (RSA), David Merriman (Aus).
77 Guillermo Encina (Chi), Bob Charles (Nzl), Manuel Piñero (Esp).
78 Tony Charnley (Eng), Steve Martin (Sco), Denis O'Sullivan (Ire), Jimmy Heggarty (NIr).
79 Martin Foster (Eng), Martin Gray (Sco), Tony Jacklin (Eng).
80 Tommy Horton (Eng).
81 Noel Ratcliffe (Aus).