Jerry Kelly carded a 4-under par 66 on Thursday to take a two-shot lead after round one of the U.S. Senior Open.

Kelly’s opening day at The Broadmoor’s East Course was highlighted by four birdies over his first five holes (Nos. 1, 2, 4 and 5). He added a fifth birdie, and was clean until a final-hole blemish, finishing at 4-under-par 66.

“It was solid. Had a good one on the first hole — I mean, playing a practice round, I was like, boy, it’s going to be hard to make birdies; I hope I make one early,” said Kelly.

“So getting off to a start like that was great, 1 and 2. Just kind of flow into the round from there.”

The under-par round was Kelly’s 15th consecutive – a streak that spans the last four tournaments.

Playing in his first U.S. Senior Open, Deane Pappas carded six birdies en route to a 2-under-par 68 to finish T2 alongside Kevin Sutherland, Rocco Mediate, and Miguel Angel Jimenez.

One further back was Billy Mayfair, Scott Parel, and Lee Janzen who sit T6 at 1-under par.

Jay Haas and David Toms lead a group of six players tied for ninth at level-par 70

A logjam of 11 players are T15, headlined by defending champion Kenny Perry, Fred Couples, Davis Love III, and Colin Montgomerie.

THE TOP 10

1. Jerry Kelly -4
2. Deane Pappas -2
2. Kevin Sutherland -2
2. Rocco Mediate -2
2. Miguel Angel Jimenez -2
6. Billy Mayfair -1
6. Scott Parel -1
6. Lee Janzen -1
9. Jay Haas E
9. Brandt Jobe E
9. Tim Hogarth E
9. David McKenzie E
9. David Toms E
9. Stephen Ames E

NOTABLES

15. Kenny Perry +1
15. Fred Couples +1
15. Colin Montgomerie +1
15. Davis Love III +1
26. Bernhard Langer +2
26. Scott McCarron +2
26. Vijay Singh +2
41. Gene Sauers +3
41. Corey Pavin +3
41. Mark Calcavecchia +3
72. Mark O’Meara +5
72. Tom Kite +5
81. Tom Lehman +6
112. Jesper Parnevik +9
112. Hale Irwin +9
150. John Smoltz +15

STAT LEADERS

DRIVING DISTANCE
1. Davis Love III – 327.20 (T15)
2. Scott McCarron – 326.65 (T26)
3. Grant Waite – 326.05 (T58)
50. Jerry Kelly – 292.90 (1st)

FAIRWAYS HIT
1. David Frost – 13/14, 92.9% (T15)
1. Fred Funk – 13/14, 92.9% (T107)
1. Lee Janzen – 13/14, 92.9% (T6)
1. Scott Dunlap – 13/14, 92.9% (T41)
1. Craig Bowden – 13/14, 92.9% (T26)
1. Glen Day – 13/14, 92.9% (T123)
7. Jerry Kelly – 12/14, 85.7% (1st)

GREENS HIT
1. Kevin Sutherland – 17/18, 94.4% (T2)
1. Scott Dunlap – 17/18, 94.4% (T41)
3. Billy Mayfair – 15/18, 83.3.% (T6)
3. Fred Couples – 15/18, 83.3.% (T3)
3. Lee Janzen – 15/18, 83.3.% (T3)
3. Mike Finster (a) – 15/18, 83.3.% (T3)
7. Jerry Kelly – 14/18, 77.8% (1st)

PUTTS PER GIR
1. Jeff Maggert – 5/4, 1.333 (T58)
1. David Frost – 10/7, 1.39 (T15)
3. Chris Johnson – 7/5, 1.44 (T58)
3. Miguel Angel Jimenez – 13/9, 1.44 (T2)
9. Jerry Kelly – 22/14, 1.56 (1st)

VIDEO: FIRST-ROUND HIGHLIGHTS

QUOTABLE

“So I’m a fairly jumpy putter, there’s no doubt about it. I’m a very good putter, but I can look kind of foolish at times, too. So, yeah, there’s no getting comfortable. Tomorrow morning, smooth greens. I’ll probably be a whole lot more comfortable. Doesn’t mean I’ll make more, but it’s good.”
– Jerry Kelly