The 2017 Gordan Refrigeration South Australian Senior PGA Championship got underway today at the Blue Lake Public Golf Links in Mt Gambier.

The field of 46 PGA Legends Tour Professionals from around the world tackled a very challenging opening day with testing conditions on firm and fast greens with morning wind gusts causing havoc which continued through to the afternoon field.

The greats of Australian golf including Rodger Davis, Mike Harwood and South Australia’s own Glenn Joyner who is defending his 2016 title this year at Blue Lake were battered and bruised by the testing tree lined layout which sits atop the Limestone Coast city of Mt Gambier.

The day belonged to current PGA Legends Tour Order of Merit leader Tim Elliott from Victoria who posted a new course record in a round which resembled that of Charley Hoffman who blew away the field in the opening round of Augusta.

Elliott jokingly said that he took some inspiration out of watching some of the coverage before teeing off.

“I played great and holed some putts and considering I went back to an old putter it’s worked out well,” said Elliott who concedes there is still a long way to go with Saturday’s final round waiting.

Two shots behind Elliott is tour stalwart Peter Fowler who posted a 67 and will join Elliott in the final grouping with Wesley Greene who carded a 1-under 69.

Saturday’s final round begins at 8:30am with the leaders teeing off from the 1^st tee at 10:30am.

The Championship event is supported by the City of Mt Gambier and showcases the best Legends Tour Players on one of the best regional golf courses in Australia.

Elliott is hoping to secure the Legends Tour special invitation to play in the US Senior PGA Championship at Trump National in Washington D.C next month. The leader of the Legends Tour OOM on Saturday afternoon will be awarded with the special exemption into the championship and Elliott holds a $1,500 lead over Steve Conran who struggled on day one at Blue Lake, posting a five-over-par 75.