Heggarty pleased with start

MAYO’S Jimmy Heggarty surprised himself in carding a level par 71 on the opening day of the British Seniors and in his first-ever competitive appearance on the famed Carnoustie course.

Heggarty ended the day the best of the five Irish and just four strokes behind the leading trio of Germany’s Bernhard Langer, England’s Carl Mason and American Jay Don Blake who signed for four-under par 68s.

The 54-year old Heggarty recorded three birdies in his round including a gem at the first after landing a 9-iron to just a foot.