Drummond and Torrance make

good start to in Spanish Seniors

From Steve Todd

European Senior Tour Press Officer
Scots Ross Drummond and Sam Torrance are two shots off the pace after opening rounds of 68 in the OKI Castellón Open España – Senior Tour Championship today.
Torrance, pictured right, who is finding his form at the end of the European Senior Tour campaign, posted four birdies in his flawless four under par round while compatriot Drummond recovered from back-to-back bogeys on the second and third holes with a hat-trick of birdies.
Former Ryder Cup-winning captain Torrance’s luggage failed to turn up at the airport, leaving him with just his clubs, but the 55-year-old did not let that distract him as he made his best start to a tournament this year.
“I played beautifully today,” he said. “I missed a lot of chances but also holed a few. It’s nice to be up there after the first round – it’s been a while.”
Torrance finished second at the Scottish Seniors Open in September – his best finish of the season.
Both Torrance and Drummond are two strokes behind Angel Fernandez of Chile and reigning champion Costantino Rocca of Italy, who started his title defence with a six under par 66 at Club de Campo del Mediterráneo, Castellόn, Spain.
The 51 year old, who finished one shot clear of Nick Job to take the title at the Senior Tour Championship at the Buckinghamshire Golf Club 12 months ago, is looking for his first win of 2008 after a solid season that has seen him record seven top ten finishes.
“My driving was really good today – I hit a lot of fairways,” said the 2007 Hardys Rookie of the Year. “I can hit a little bit closer to the pin as I was sometimes short today. My only really long putt was the 18th.
“I played really well. Being defending champion doesn’t change the way I play here – it’s a different course. It’s very nice weather and I tried to do my best. The tournament isn’t finished but if I play well like this I have a chance.”
Argentine Horacio Carbonetti is a shot behind the leaders after a 67, while Order of Merit leader Ian Woosnam opened with a level par 72.
FIRST ROUND LEADERS

Par 72
66 A Fernandez (Chi), C Rocca (Ita) ;
67 H Carbonetti (Arg).
68 E Rodriguez (Spa), S Torrance (Sco), J Bruner (US), R Drummond (Sco).
69 A Murray (Eng), K Tomori (Jpn), D Hospital (Spa), B Cameron (Eng).
70 J Rivero (Spa), D Smyth (Ire), C Mason (Eng), N Job (Eng), B Longmuir (Sco).

71 J Rhodes (Eng), G Watine (Fra), D Merriman (Aus), B Boyd (US), J Quiros (Esp), L Carbonetti (Arg).
72 G Cali (Ita), I Woosnam (Wal), P Mitchell (Eng), J Bland (SAf), M Gray (Sco), S Owen (NZ), T Johnstone (Zim), E Darcy (Ire).
73 J Chillas (Sco), J Hall (Eng), P Oakley (US).
74 D O'Sullivan (Ire), A Franco (Par), G Brand (Eng).
75 D Cambridge (Jam), G Encina (Chi), D Russell (Eng) ; S Ginn (Aus) ;
77 B Lincoln (SAf).
78 V Garcia (Spa).