Ernie Els was just one back after the first round on Thursday of the first senior major championship of the year, the Regions Tradition at Greystone Golf and Country Club in Birmingham, Alabama.
Els carded a four-under-par 68 after starting his round on the 10th hole, and he trailed the five-under-par lead which was shared by Americans Billy Andrade and Timothy O’Neal and England’s Paul Broadhurst. In a share of fourth with Els were Padraig Harrington, Ken Duke and Steve Stricker.
Els made three birdies on his front nine, and two birdies and a bogey on his way home. The bogey came when he had to take a penalty drop on the par-four third.
David Frost opened with a one-over-par 73 for a share of 49th, and Retief Goosen battled his way to a four-over-par 76 and a share of 71st
