JOHNSTONE, BRAND SHARE LEAD
IN JERSEY SENIORS CLASSIC

From Steve Todd, Seniors Tour Press Officer
Tony Johnstone produced his “best putting performance in five years” to take a share of the lead with Gordon J. Brand on three under par 69 in the first round of the Jersey Seniors Classic.
Johnstone’s famed short game helped him tame the breezy conditions at La Moye Golf Club as he carded a round of 69, which was later matched by Brand. The 52 year old from Zimbabwe, who finished tied 19th in his first event of the season at the Parkridge Polish Seniors Open last week, dropped a shot on the 17th hole but holed a birdie putt on the last to end his round on a high.
Johnstone said: “The conditions were tough today with the wind so I had to putt well and that was the best I have putted for five years.
“Last week in Poland I played really well but putted badly. I had a season of that last year so I spent the week working on it back in Sunningdale and it seems to be paying off. I’ve waited a while to putt like that.
“I haven’t played on this course since the 1980s and it’s now a fantastic golf course. I love links courses and we’ve got three in a row now. It suits my game and it’s what golf was made for.”
Brand, who finished tied ninth at the Parkridge Polish Seniors Championship last week, had held the outright lead after a birdie on the 16th but followed it by dropping a shot on the 17th to go into the clubhouse tied with Johnstone.
The Englishman, who finished runner up at the 1986 Open Championship at Turnberry, is looking to improve on last year’s third place in the Jersey Seniors Classic.
He said: “The course was playing long today because of the wind. It was different out there to previous years. I drove well today and you have to hit the fairway on this course because the rough is so long.
"That’s what is not helping us on the course. I’m pleased to be in a share for the lead as the morning groups seem to have the better of the conditions.”
The pair lead Ireland’s Denis O’Sullivan by one stroke, while Englishman Peter Mitchell is four shots off the pace after finishing on one over par in his debut on the European Seniors Tour.
He admitted it was nice to be back on the golf course after completing his first competitive round since 2003.
“It was nice to be out there again,” said Mitchell. “It was tricky with the wind but I’m happy with the start I’ve made.”
Sam Torrance, who has been struggling with a long term wrist injury, withdrew from the tournament when the problem flared up again as he finished 11 over par after 18 holes.
SCOREBOARD
Par 72
69 G J Brand, T Johnstone.
70 D O'Sullivan.
71 D Cambridge, A Franco, P Oakley, K Tomori.
72 J Bruner, R Drummond, D Good, B Lincoln, B Smith.
Other scores:
73 M Miller (jt 13th).
75 B McColl (jt 24th).
76 J Chillas (jt 36th).
77 B Longmuir (jt 45th).
78 S Martin (jt 54th).
Withdrew:
83 S Torrance