Palmer’s 69 Ties Him for British Senior Lead : Golf: Jacklin ends a miserable day with disqualification in his senior debut.

Arnold Palmer shot a three-under-par 69 in the Senior British Open on Wednesday and tied for the first-round lead with Liam Higgins of Ireland and Alberto Croce of Italy.

Palmer played the last 14 holes in six under par, with an eagle at the 15th, where he used a driver, a one-iron and one putt.

Former British Open champion Tony Jacklin was disqualified for signing an incorrect scorecard at the Royal Lytham and St. Annes, the same course on which he won the Open 25 years ago.

Making his debut on the British seniors circuit, Jacklin signed for a four at the 13th hole, where he had actually taken five strokes.

It was the culmination of a disastrous afternoon for Jacklin.

He took an eight at the par-five 11th hole after his ball rebounded onto his chest as he tried to escape from a greenside bunker.

He was uncertain of the penalty, but after some discussion it was agreed he should add two shots to his total. Jacklin completed his round in 81, nine over par.

“With all the trouble I had at the 11th, and getting the penalty for that sorted out, I hadn’t checked my card closely enough,” Jacklin said.

Palmer, who had been three strokes worse than Jacklin after four holes but played the next 14 in six under, was sympathetic.

“What’s happened to Tony is too bad,” he said. “It does happen occasionally. I think he was just a little despondent about his round.”