Golf | Greg Norman off to poor start in Seniors British Open

TROON, Scotland — Four days after nearly making history at the British Open, Greg Norman labored to a 4-over 75 Thursday in the opening round of the Seniors British Open to finish seven shots behind co-leaders Bruce Vaughan and Eduardo Romero.

In sunny conditions at Troon, Norman bogeyed six of the first 10 holes and was 6 over before he finally birdied the par-4 13th. He birdied the final hole with a pitch to 3 feet.

"Things just weren't going my way early on," Norman said. "I just had to hang in there and gut it out the best I could. The ball just wasn't rolling my way."

The Australian said windy conditions, similar to the British Open, had an impact on his game.

"I got to the first tee, and I never played this golf course in this wind before," Norman said. "I didn't feel that confident with some of the tee shots."

The 53-year-old Norman led the British Open at Royal Birkdale with nine holes to play Sunday and appeared on course to become the oldest winner of a major before he finished third behind Padraig Harrington.

While Norman struggled, playing partner Tom Watson made every green and missed only one fairway in a bogey-free 70.

Notes

• Mike Weir gave Canadian Open fans what they came to see on another rainy day at drenched Glen Abbey.

The Canadian icon shot a bogey-free 6-under 65 for a share of the lead with Anthony Kim and Eric Axley during the suspended first round. Only half of the players were able to finish the round that was delayed for 5 hours, 42 minutes.

"You want to take advantage of today because it's only going to get a little firmer and faster," said Weir, his words punctuated by a clap of thunder that drew a smile and forced him to reconsider his answer. "Maybe not with what's coming. Maybe not."

• Lorena Ochoa shot a 7-under par 65 to take a one-stroke lead after the first round of the Evian Masters in France. The 26-year-old Ochoa started with a birdie on the first hole and had six more on the back nine in a bogey-free round. Ahn Sun-ju, Candie Kung and Angela Park trailed by one stroke.

"I'm just glad I'm at the top," Ochoa said. "I had a slow start. I made birdie on the first hole and didn't give myself a lot of birdie chances. I had a break on 10 and 11. I got really good confidence and started feeling good over the ball and the putting."

Jimin Kang, a product of King's High School, was at 1-under 71.