He was a pioneer of the long putter in1989, but after 30 years of playing with his trusty broomstick Peter Senior,following the anchoring ban, now has to change his playing style to suit ashort putter.

"This is my first competitive round…I’ve been 30 years with the long putter. I thought about having my legs amputated so I could get it back on the chin again," he joked.

Along with the equipment change and the personal pressure Senior was placing on himself, all eyes at Lake Karrinyup were on him at each green to see how he putted during this morning’s opening round of the ISPS HANDA Perth International.

"It’s a strange feeling after so long, but I was really happy with the way I putted. The first few holes were going to be the telltale signs of what was going to happen, and I putted really well," Senior said.

"I’m just really happy to have a shot a decent score. It’s going to do wonders for my confidence. You know it all builds confidence in what I’m going to do for the rest of the year, so I’m really happy with it," he added.

Playing today with Senior was fellow Australian Brett Rumford who has also played most of his career to date with a broomstick putter before transitioning last year to the short putter.  

"He (Senior) did really well. He rolled the ball nicely, and you know, for him, having played with a broomstick for 30 years, that’s a big change," said Rumford.

"He played great, he’s still got it, and this golf course it kind of suits his game, he’s going to be a threat this week if he keeps playing the way he is playing."

In November last year Senior won the UNIQLO Masters, while it was with the long putter, the tee shots required on the two courses are similar.   

"The course is pretty short off the tee, so it suits me because I can’t drive it into trouble. Even if I hit it offline a little bit, I’m not reaching the trouble," Senior added.

"The greens here are really hard to read. There is a lot of slope on the greens, and they can get away pretty quick sometimes. You’ve got to be careful what you’re doing out there – regardless of your equipment," he continued.

After the opening round Senior sits four shots off the lead at 3-under 69.

Senior, Rumford and Scotland’s Stephen Gallacher will tee off at 11:50am tomorrow at the Lake Karrinyup Country Club.