Dougherty Feels Better After 65

Ed Dougherty, fighting a cold, shot a seven-under-par 65 on Friday for a share of the first-round lead with Bob Eastwood in the Mexico Senior Classic.

“I’m surprised to be here because of how I feel,” Dougherty said. “I really hit the ball well. It was just exploding off the club face.”

Dougherty eagled the par-five 10th hole after hitting a five-wood approach to five feet.

“I was very lucky considering my condition,” said Dougherty, who also had six birdies and a bogey on the scenic Las Vista Country Club Course.

Eastwood, a two-time winner on the senior tour, had seven birdies in a bogey-free round. He needed only 25 putts.

South Africa’s Hugh Baiocchi was a stroke back along with Bobby Walzel, Dick Lotz, Walter Hall and Mike McCullough, while Tony Peterson and Steve Veriato shot 69s.

Defending champion Hubert Green opened with an 80. Green, who closed with a 10-under 62 last year in his five-stroke victory, has not broken 70 in 10 rounds this season.