Fleisher’s 64 a Record Open Start

Hours after Hubert Green had the best opening round in the 21-year history of the U.S. Senior Open, Bruce Fleisher went one stroke better at Bethlehem, Pa. His seven-under-par 64 Thursday tied the record for the lowest score in any round of the Senior Open, matching Orville Moody’s third round in 1989.

“I drove the ball well, but it’s early,� Fleisher said. “A lot can happen in three days.�

Fleisher held a one-stroke lead over Green at Saucon Valley Country Club and was two strokes in front of Dave Stockton, Isao Aoki and Hale Irwin.

Irwin finished the 18th hole after a 95-minute rain delay. Play was suspended for the day at 8:24 p.m. EDT with nine players still on the course.

Jack Nicklaus shot a 67, which matched his best round in any Senior Open.

“I haven’t played a good round of golf in a long time,� Nicklaus said. “It was kind of fun. I haven’t been anywhere near a major for a while either.�

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Notah Begay, going for a second consecutive victory, bogeyed his first hole at the Greater Hartford Open but ended with four consecutive birdies for a six-under 64 that left him tied for the first-round lead with Robert Gamez, Dan Forsman and Kirk Triplett.

“I was a bit nervous on the tee this morning, just having won. I didn’t want to put a lot of pressure on myself. And I came out and hit some pretty bad shots,� said Begay, who won the St. Jude Classic on Sunday.

Begay’s opening drive at Cromwell, Conn., sailed left into a stand of trees and his approach shot almost hit a fan. But his birdie putts brought him back.