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 in the first round of the Jersey Seniors Classic yesterday.
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.’
Scotland’s 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.
Jersey’s Tommy Horton had a birdie on the 18th to finish on a two over 74 to by 34th in the field of 76.
