Six share opening rounds of 63

Australian Peter Senior belied his veteran status by firing a six-under-par 63 to take a share in a six-way tie for the Wales Open first-round lead on Thursday.

The 45-year-old hung on to his European Tour card in 115th place on the money list last season. He may not need to make a late scramble this year, though, after shrugging off a double bogey to hit eight birdies at Celtic Manor.

Senior was joined on 63 by Spain's Miguel Angel Jimenez, Frenchman Benoit Teilleria and Britons David Lynn, Gary Emerson and James Heath, a protege of Nick Faldo who asked for the 22-year-old to be included in the field.

Having missed his last three cuts since returning to Europe, Senior was delighted with his display.

"I've only had four birdies in two weeks and suddenly I have eight in one day," he told reporters.

"When you don't play as much nowadays, as is the case with me, you find it hard to get your short game going. But I'm starting to get it back.

"I hit behind a tree to make my double (bogey) so it was nice to get the shots back."

Senior, a winner 26 times around the world, is using his neighbour, former Olympic swimming champion Neil Brooks, as his caddie for a spell.

Brooks, a medley relay gold-medal winner in Moscow in 1980, is enjoying the experience.

"Peter and I play two or three rounds a week so he suggested a working holiday...I couldn't believe my wife said I could go," said Brooks.

Faldo, his manager and mentor, provided the inspiration for Heath, who recovered from an early bogey by recording seven birdies.

"I was getting frustrated with finishing 40th and 50th in tournaments so I spoke to Nick last week and he cleared up a few things for me," said Heath.

"It's nice to know you can make a call to him, he's a cool guy. It was just tiny stuff but, added together, it all makes a big thing."

Welshman Ian Woosnam, 47, was one stroke off the lead on 64 alongside fellow Briton Stuart Little.

Woosnam's former Ryder Cup partner Faldo struggled to a three-over 72 while Colin Montgomerie carded a 71.

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