Charles Uses Edge in Senior Open

Bob Charles is a left-hander who hits the ball from left to right. Canterbury Golf Club, near Cleveland, is a course with five holes that dogleg right.

The two appeared made for each other Thursday when Charles tied the course record with a 66 that earned him a three-stroke lead after one round of the U.S. Senior Open.

The round was the best in relation to par at Canterbury, which has played host to several major events as a par-71 layout. And it was the kind of conservative, mistake-free round that major tournaments tend to reward.

“My philosophy is trying to keep the ball in play, trying to keep hitting the fairways and greens and not three-putt,” Charles said.

Graham Marsh was second at 69.

Tied at 70 were Ray Floyd, winner of four major tournaments, and two-time PGA winner Dave Stockton. They were joined by Bill Tindall, the last player into the field as the first alternate.

At 71 were Jimmy Powell, Chi Chi Rodriguez and Dave Eichelberger.

“The best policy is rather defensive,” Marsh said. “On this golf course, there are certain times when you can afford to be aggressive, but basically I think it is getting away unscathed on many holes.”

Charles took advantage of favorable conditions early in the day and became one of only eight players in the 156-man field to break par. All but two teed off before 10 a.m. before gusting winds dried up the greens.

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Brad Bryant just missed the Western Open record with an eight-under-par 64 and took a one-stroke lead after the first round at Cog Hill’s Dubsdread Course in Lemont, Ill.

Bryant finished with eight birdies in missing the tournament record by one shot.

Steve Stricker trailed by one stroke and Lee Janzen, Blaine McCallister, Larry Mize, Nolan Henke, Jeff Sluman, Jay Don Blake and Joe Ozaki were all at 67.

Ozaki’s round included a hole in one.