Danny Edwards will turn 66 in two weeks, so there are people in the CoBank Colorado Senior Open field who were just being born when he was starting to drive a car.
But that didn’t keep the five-time PGA Tour winner from finding a spot on the leaderboard after round 1 at Green Valley Ranch Golf Club in northeast Denver.
Edwards (pictured) shot a bogey-free 3-under-par 69 Wedneday to share sixth place with two rounds left at GVR. He sits just two strokes out of the lead.
“There’s a lot of difference between 50 and 66 (years old),” Edwards said. “You don’t hit it as far, your nerves aren’t as good. Name about anything, there’s a big difference. It’s hard to believe I’m that old, but I am. It’s definitely a challenge.
“But it’s nice to play well — whether I was 10th (place) or 30th. I hit some really good shots. That’s what you enjoy — hitting really good shots and making a few saves. I hit 16 greens in regulation, which isn’t bad.”
On a day that featured good scoring conditions — though there were two lightning suspensions in the afternoon lasting a total of 2 hours and 40 minutes — 22 players were under par Wednesday before play was suspended due to darkness at 8:15 p.m. A total of 30 players hadn’t yet completed round 1 and will do so on Thursday beginning at 7:30 a.m. Scheduled second-round tee times won’t be affected.
Leading the way when play concluded Wednesday night were Steve Schneiter of Sandy, Utah, the 2016 winner of the national Senior PGA Professional Championship, and a couple of Texans, Tim Thelen of College Station and Steve Jurgensen of The Woodlands. All three fired 5-under-par 67s.
“We had perfect conditions,” said Thelen, a two-time winner of the national PGA Professional Championship and a five-time champion on the European Senior Tour. “I guess it rained out here a little last night. It softened the course up a little so you could go after it.”
Edwards is no stranger to being in contention at the Colorado Senior Open. He finished second in the tournament in 2009, third in 2005 and fifth in 2011 at age 60.
On Wednesday, Edwards kept his bogey-free round intact by getting up and down from the front bunker on No. 18, sinking a 6-foot par putt.
Shooting rounds in the 60s is always a good thing, but especially when a player like Edwards isn’t competing nearly as much as he used to.
“I play maybe once a month” tournament-wise, he said. “If you’re playing the (PGA) Tour, you’re playing virtually every week. It’s a lot more difficult (now), there’s no question about it. You’re not playing as much. I’m just a part-time player and an older guy. But I can still play a little bit, so it’s nice to have a round like today.”
Thelen (left), a college teammate of Colin Montgomerie at Houston Baptist, made seven birdies in his round of 67 on Wednesday.
“I hit it well. I drove it well, hit my irons well and made a few putts,” said the 55-year-old Thelen, who placed fourth in the Senior Open in 2014, the only other year he’s competed in the event. “I played a practice round here yesterday and didn’t hit it very well. I was on the range this morning before we played and I just felt something. I went out there and did it. I haven’t been putting very well, and I guess the hole got in the way a few times today. Hopefully the next two days are good.”
Joining Thelen in the first-round lead was Schneiter, who in addition to winning the national Senior PGA Professional Championship in November has captured the PGA Professional Championship in 1995. Schneiter made six birdies on the day and played his final six holes in 4 under. Also sharing the lead was Jurgensen, a one-time winner on the Web.com Tour. The 55-year-old carded six birdies and a bogey on Wednesday.
Sharing fourth place at 68 were Jeff Gallagher of Henderson, Nev., who went bogey-free, and Robin Byrd of Satellite Beach, Fla., whose lone bogey came on his final hole of the day.
Notable: The low amateur after Wednesday’s action was Albert Johnson Jr., of Lawton, Okla., who carded a 2-under-par 70. … The field will be cut to the low 55 players and ties after Thursday’s second round. … Defending champion John Ross of Bramwell, W. Va., opened with a 73. … Mike Northern of Colorado Springs, who competed in the Senior PGA Championship last week, posted a 71 on Wednesday.
For scores from the Colorado Senior Open, CLICK HERE.
