Ernie Els made a solid start to the year’s first senior major championship on Thursday with a four-under-par 68 putting him a share of fourth after the first round of the Regions Tradition in Birmingham, Alabama.
After starting his round on the 10th, he made two birdies on his front nine, and picked up three more on the homeward nine. His single blemish came with a dropped shot on the par-four third. He was three shots off the lead which was held by Steve Stricker, who was bogey-free for his seven-under 65. Stricker led by two from Miguel Angel Jimenez of Spain and American Wes Short Jr. Els shared fourth with seven other players, including John Daly.
One shot further back was Retief Goosen, whose three-under 69 included four birdies and a bogey.
David Frost was well back after opening with a three-over 75.
