Irish Seniors Open:Sandy Lyle closed with a superb eagle for an opening round 66 to set the pace in the Handa Irish Senior Open presented by Fáilte Ireland as he chases his maiden European Senior Tour title.
The home challenge is led by Jimmy Heggarty, Denis O’Sullivan and Des Smyth, who all posted level par rounds of 72 for a 14-way share 20th place, alongside former world number one Woosnam.
A sublime three iron approach shot from 214 yards into the wind on the picturesque finishing hole at Carton House set up the eagle chance from 12 feet which the former Open and Masters Champion holed to move one stroke clear of Frenchman Marc Farry at the top of the leaderboard.
Lyle had earlier posted five birdies, dropping just one shot when he found the fairway bunker on the fifth hole, and his stunning eagle meant he equalled the course record of six under par shared by Nick O’Hern Titch Moore, Oliver Wilson and Thomas Björn.
“Anytime you finish with an eagle on the last hole and you are four under after 17 is special,” said the Scot. “I was just hoping I could make birdie and I got an eagle out of it. I had two good shots there into 12 feet into the wind so it was a great way to finish.
“I was very happy with the round. The course is playing really good. It is a little easier than when I played on The European Tour here a few years ago. The rough is cut back considerably and we didn’t have too much wind today so it was up for grabs.
“The greens are rolling nice so hopefully we can see some low scoring here this week.”
Farry opened with six birdies and a bogey in his round of 67, which was also his lowest Senior Tour round.
The former European Tour winner believes the Montgomerie Course, designed by the European Ryder Cup Captain, suits big hitters such as Lyle and himself.
“I really hit the ball well today and I missed a short putter on the last hole but I accept 67 as a good start,” he said. “It’s my best round so far on the Senior Tour. This course suits me as it is longer and helps the long ball strikers we have on this tour.
“The last three tournaments I have played better and I’m starting to get more used to the Senior Tour.”