SAM Torrance's hopes of winning a third European Senior Tour Order of Merit were bolstered by a five-under round of 67 in the OKI Castellon Senior Tour Championship in Spain to lie three strokes behind first-round leader Angel Franco.
Torrance needs to finish in at least the top four, and hope Ian Woosnam is down the field, to be in with a chance of winning the John Jacobs Trophy he claimed in 2005 and 2006.
The Scot, who is defending his senior title, posted six birdies – in
cluding one on the final hole – and just a single bogey on the 11th hole.
"There was some good scoring out there today and I've started well," said Torrance. "It was nice to end on a birdie when I hit it close and it was a good day all round.
"It's always nice to come back to a place you have done well, as you know you can do it here and I've started confidently. I know I probably have to finish either first or second so it's a good start and we'll see what we can do."
Woosnam, who leads the Order of Merit, posted back-to-back birdies on the final two holes to get to level par but is eight shots off the lead on 72.
Scot Ross Drummond, who is searching for his maiden Senior Tour title, posted a flawless six under par round of 66 to lie two strokes behind Franco and one behind Australian Mike Harwood. Gordon Brand Jnr posted a 68 while John Chillas opened with a round of 69.
Paraguayan Franco's eight-under par round of 64 was the lowest of his Senior Tour career, with five birdies on a superb front nine to reach the turn in 31 before picking up a further three shots on the 11th, 12th and 18th holes.
The 51-year-old has finished runner up five times in his Senior Tour career – including twice this season – but is determined to go one better at Club de Campo del Mediterráneo.
"It was another good round of golf. I played well and putted really well which is important for a good score," he said. "I hit a lot of good shots and had some luck."
