Cameron Percy opens three-shot lead at Senior Open as wind batters Gleneagles

Australian takes control in Perthshire

Cameron Percy, a 52-year-old from Victoria, carded rounds of 63 and 68 to reach nine under par at the ISPS HANDA Senior Open, the final over-50s major of the season. He holds a three-shot lead over American Jerry Kelly heading into the weekend at the King's Course, Gleneagles. Percy's only professional win outside Australia came on the Web.com Tour in 2014, but he has looked completely at ease on the Perthshire layout, where he finished fifth on debut twelve months ago.

Yesterday I hit it everywhere I was looking, so it was pretty easy. Today was way harder trying to judge how much the wind would hit shots. I'm obviously very happy with my position as it is such a hard golf course. You can lose a ball on every shot and that's what I like as it keeps me tuned in and I don't get lazy.

Wind and 'moon golf'

A westerly wind blew consistently around 16 mph and gusted to 30 mph during the second round, turning the already firm King's Course into an exacting test. Jerry Kelly, who added a 68 to his opening 66 to sit at six under, said the unpredictability of the bounces made it feel otherworldly. The American mixed four birdies with two bogeys and accepted that patience was essential on a course where balls could career off in any direction.

It's kind of like playing golf on the moon and not knowing what gravity is going to do to your ball, how far you're going to hit it and where it's going to land and hitting the craters and going all over the place.

Harrington's cautious start

Defending champion Pádraig Harrington opened with a level-par 70 that left him seven shots adrift of Percy. The Dubliner made three birdies and three bogeys, admitting that fear of the heavy rough had made him tentative. A ricochet off a camera on the 10th hole led to a bogey, and another dropped shot followed at the 12th before a closing birdie four. Harrington, who successfully defended his US Senior Open title last month, believes he can still contend if he adopts a more aggressive mindset over the final 36 holes.

You can get a bit cautious and intimidated. There's lots of trouble. Look, I'm a long way back at the moment, but there are 54 holes, so if I free up a little bit, maybe I'll catch up.

McGinley and the chasing pack

Paul McGinley, making only his second start of the year, produced a colourful 68 that included seven birdies, three bogeys and a double bogey. The 59-year-old, who captained Europe's winning Ryder Cup team at Gleneagles in 2014, said the venue still gives him good vibes. Darren Clarke opened with a 71, while France's Lionel Alexandre shot a bogey-free 64 in the first round to sit one shot behind Percy at that stage. Four-time major champion Ernie Els, 2018 winner Miguel Ángel Jiménez and Americans Tom Penrice Jr and Pat Perez were also well placed after the opening day.

With the wind forecast to remain a factor, the weekend promises a stern examination for the over-50s field. Percy's three-shot cushion is the largest halfway lead in the championship since it moved to Gleneagles, and the Australian will need to maintain the sharp focus he praised in the demanding conditions.