On the Big Stage

Mike Northern of Colorado Springs, who qualified for the Senior PGA Championship by finishing fourth last year in the national Senior PGA Professional Championship, shot a 1-over-par 73 Thursday in the opening round of the oldest of the senior majors.

Northern (pictured) made four birdies, three bogeys and a double bogey in round 1 at Trump National Golf Club in Washington D.C. He’s tied for 86th place after day 1.

Northern was the runner-up in the Colorado PGA Professional Championship in September.

The weather didn’t allow everyone to complete the first round of the Senior PGA, but Bernhard Langer opened with a 65 to hold the lead.

As for tour players with strong Colorado ties competing in the event, former Colorado resident Esteban Toledo posted a 2-under-par 70, good for a share of 15th place. Gary Hallberg of Longmont stands at 1 under par through six holes and Colorado Golf Hall of Famer Brandt Jobe is 1 under through 15. Colorado Sports Hall of Famer Hale Irwin is 2 over through 11 and former Cherry Creek High School golfer Mike Reid is 2 over through eight.

For all the scores, CLICK HERE.