Gilder Up by a Point in Debut

Bob Gilder is making himself right at home in his first Senior PGA Tour start.

Gilder, a six-time PGA Tour champion who won the senior qualifying tournament, scored 15 points Saturday under the Modified Stableford system to take a one-point lead over Larry Nelson and Tom Kite in the Royal Caribbean Classic.

Gilder earned five points with an 85-foot eagle putt on the par-five 14th hole. “I was just trying to get it close, but it went in,” he said. “That’s five points right there.”

He also had four birdies on the back nine en route to a 22-point total. Under the Modified Stableford system, players receive eight points for double eagle, five for eagle, two for birdie, none for par, minus-one for bogey and minus-three for double bogey or higher.

“I putted well on the back nine,” Gilder said. “All in all, it was a good day. I’m surprised at how well I played, because I’m not in the best of shape, but I’m getting there, and so is my game.

“I haven’t played much golf since Q-school. I didn’t do much since then, and I’m paying for it. I haven’t worked out, and I’m feeling all kinds of aches. I still haven’t hit the ball that well, but it will come around. It’s getting better every day.”

Nelson, coming off a victory two weeks ago in Hawaii in the season-opening MasterCard Championship, also scored 15 points.

“I’m happy with this kind of format,” Nelson said. “I’ve been making a lot of birdies, and that’s what you have to do. . . . I don’t remember this being a shootout going into the last round. There are so many guys who can win it.”

Kite had 13 points Saturday.

Leonard Thompson and John Jacobs were tied for fourth with 19 points.