John Senden wasn't even supposed to be playing this week. On Thursday, he was leading the British Open. The 38-year-old Australian claimed the top spot in the clubhouse on the opening day at Turnberry, taking advantage of the pristine conditions to shoot a 4-under 66.
Senden failed to qualify for the Open and started out as the seventh alternate. He moved to the top of the list, then got in Tuesday when Jeev Milkha Singh withdrew with a rib injury. "I was lucky enough to be in the field, so that was a bonus," said Senden, who stayed away from bogey and birdied four of the last six holes.
He wasn't the only one going low. Mark Calcavecchia went out in the first group of the day with his wife on the bag and shot a 67 — two decades after he won his only major title just up the road in Troon. The conditions along the picturesque Scottish coast were ideal for posting red numbers — the sun peeking in and out of the clouds, the Ailsa Craig easily visible offshore, the flags hanging limply above the grandstands, barely the hint of a breeze."It was perfect out there," Calcavecchia said. "The course couldn't possibly play any easier. I don't know how long it's going to stay like that."
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