Playing at Royal Porthcawl Haag, a native of Orinda, CA, bogeyed five-times and birdied three-times and he is currently tied for 21st on what it is a very crowded leaderboard.
Haag, the record holder for the most Northern California G.A. Player-of-the-Year awards, started his day slowly with a bogey on No. 1. But The Olympic Club member rebounded quickly with a birdie on No. 2. Two bogeys and a birdie on the 6th followed as Haag turned in 1-over 37. On the back nine Haag bogeyed Nos. 10 and 14 before closing his day with a a birdie on the last.
His position on the leaderboard is far from a surprise. The Californian loves tougher courses, and at age 58 still gets it out there with players half his age. Haag was low amateur in the Senior Open Championship in 2011 and 2012, with a top 40 finish in 2011. In 2016, he finished T16 at the British Senior Amateur.
And how about this.
Haag might not have the 30 European Tour victories and multiple majors that Sir Nick Faldo, 60, has under his belt, but today he was six shots lower. Granted, Faldo spends most of his time commentating, but still. He's won the Open Championship three times.
The low amateur at the Senior Open Championship gets an invitation back the following year, and we know that Haag (who comes over each year to qualify) will have his eye on that prize on Friday.
Amateur Leaderboard
Chip Lutz (+6, T76) Mike White (+7; T82) Stephen Creed (+8; T104) Roger Hoit (+8; T104) Kevin Hastie (+8; T104) Daniel Curtis (+10; T121) Jez Tomlinson (+12; T133)