James Kingston is one of a trio of players who share the lead on four-under-par 67 after the first round of the opening tournament of the Legends Tour, the Barbados Legends hosted by Ian Woosnam at Apes Hill in Saint James.
German Thomas Gögele carded a four-under which featured three birdies and then an eagle at the nine, his final hole. The third player carding a round of 67 on day one was Peter Baker, winner of the MCB Road to Mauritius last season having claimed four tournaments along the way.
Kingston – a three-time winner on the Legends Tour, has won once in each of the past three seasons and is looking for a strong year on the Legends Tour: “You know, we haven’t played much golf, so first time we’ve seen the golf course and if you asked me before we teed off about a 67, I would have taken it.
“The first 12 or 13 holes I kept the ball in play, gave myself a lot of chances and made a few putts. Making the turn in four-under and then to birdie 12, I felt like was a bonus today.”
Kingston had actually got deeper under par on his back nine but dropped a couple of shots on the way back in: “Disappointed in the way I finished, three putting 16 – it’s always a tough hole from the back tee there. But knocking it on the green and then three putting before not finishing great on 18 making bogey. But all in all, you know, 67, I’m quite happy with that.”
Kingston has come into this week, the new season with renewed confidence in his game and his chances of getting more wins. He won an event back home in South Africa last week, which has helped give him some momentum coming into Barbados: “It was our first event that we played for four months and I didn’t expect that! I’ve worked on a few things in my game, I went out there and hit the ball really nicely. I was pleased with the way I played, a win was just a bonus, but coming here knowing I was swinging the club half decent set me up for for hopefully a good week this week.”
Adilson Da Silva was one shot back on three-under with six other players, while David Frost was on two-under in a share of 10th.
Chris Williams was on one-under and Keith Horne opened with a level-par 71.
