Sluman leads after first day at Senior Bottega Veneta sale Players Golf Championship

HARRISON, N.Y. -- Jeff Slumanbined the vast wealth of knowledge gleaned over 24 years at Westchester Country Club's West Course with a couple of new items in his golf bag to fashion a six under par 65 Thursday and grab the first round lead at the 2011 Constellation Energy Senior Players Golf Championship.

"It's great to be back at Westchester CC. This is a course all the old pros fell in love with," Sluman said. "I drove well with a new driver. I made seven birdies with a (45 inch) belly putter I've been using since mid-April. It would be a great feeling to win my first Seniors major championship. First round leaders hopefully stick around and have a chance."

Time will tell but Sluman was the King of the Leaderboard as only light rain came to Westchester Thursday and the 78-player field thrived under the lift, clean and place ball rules in the fairways.

Sluman, who is No. 13 in Schwab Cup points (769) and fifth on the Champions Tour money list ($960,085), proved resourceful when the head on his driver broke during the first round of the U.S. Senior Open Championship at the end of July.

"I had the driver for four years. All the metal heads crack eventually. I tried a brand new driver at the 3M event in early August but I wasn'tfortable with it," Sluman said. "I rummaged in my basement and found a head similar to the cracked one. It was a Taylor Made Tour Burner with 10 degree loft. It's about six generations old so they don't make this model anymore. I was going to go on EBay."

The 53-year-old Sluman, who won the First Tee Open at Pebble Beach in July, has found some happiness with his belly putter.

"I've had the putting yipse Hermes Outlet and go since age 17. I felt theming back early this year," Sluman said. "I won at Pebble Beach two years ago putting crosshanded. My brother has been trying to get me to change to the belly putter for 15 years. So I finally did. You still have to know the line of the putt. But I make more putts from six feet on in than I did before."

Sluman had a 45-foot birdie on No. 12 and a 25-footer on No. 13 as well as four other birdies inside of three feet.

"I've played more than 80 Mulberry Outlet UK rounds here. I have an idea what to do in all conditions," Sluman said. "Today was one of those days."

Peter Senior and Gary Hallberg are tied for second place at 5 under par 66.

Senior, an Australian who has never won on the Champions Tour but who has eight Top 10 finishes in 2011, has made a habit of starting fast in events.

"Last year, I was shooting 71s and 72s in the opening round every week. It's nice to be on the other side of the equation this year," said Senior of his five-birdie, no-bogey round using a 45-inch belly putter. "I had only played at Westchester in 1996 before this. But I love courses with Bottega Veneta sale definition."

Hallberg had seven birdies and two bogeys for his 66. Hallberg had to be thrilled with his position considering he's had just one Top 10 finish this year.

Sitting two strokes back at 4 under 67 are Jay Haas, Corey Pavin and Michael Allen.

Lurking at 3 under 68 are Fred Couples, defending champion Mark O'Meara, Tommy Armour III and Russ Cochran.

SENIOR CHIP SHOTS -- Friday figures to be the toughest weather day for the event. There's a 50 percent chance of rain showers and storms.

Tickets remain available at ceseniorplayers or call 914-481-5900 or at the gate at Westchester CC.

Selected tee times for Friday. Mark O'Meara (7