The 2022 MCB Road to Mauritius number one James Kingston is running out of time to continue his streak of picking up a Legends Tour trophy in every season since 2021, but the South African had eight birdies to put himself right in the mix after the first round of the WCM Mexico Senior Open.
Kingston, Corey Pavin, Steven Alker and Rob Coles all signed for rounds of six-under-par 66. The quartet were a shot ahead as they set the early pace in an international field that contains five major winners and eight former Ryder Cup players.
“I’m ecstatic,” Kingston said. “I think it’s a great golf course. You’ve got to put the ball in play, but it depends on how you can shape your shots and try and hit them in the right spots and give yourself birdie opportunities out there. I did that today, and rolled the ball nicely, so that always helps, so I’m really pleased with my round.”
Pavin, who played three Ryder Cups and captained the American team in 2010, had an eventful day with nine birdies, three bogeys and six pars in his round. It had looked like he could have the outright lead but one of those dropped shots came at the 18th.
Alker is fresh off clinching the Champions Tour’s season-long Charles Schwab Cup for the second time last week and he continued his excellent form by notching six red numbers in his last 10 holes at Punta Mita, including a birdie-birdie finish.
Coles put together an extremely impressive bogey-free round. He picked up his maiden win at the Staysure PGA Seniors Championship earlier this year, and at 5th on the MCB Road to Mauritius he could still end the year as the Legends Tour number one with a couple of big results in the final two events of 2024.
The current MCB Road to Mauritius number one Adilson Da Silva was tied-21st after an opening round of 70 that featured four birdies and two bogeys. The Brazilian could potentially secure the top spot on the season-long Order of Merit ahead of the MCB Tour Championship Mauritius with a top-three finish this week and other player’s finishes going his way.
Keith Horne opened with a two-over-par 74 for a share of 43rd.
