Steve Allan emerged from a crowded leaderboard to share the opening-round lead at the Senior PGA Championship, carding a 6-under 66 alongside three other players at The Concession Golf Club in Bradenton, Florida.
Allan matched the low score of the day with Brian Gay, Miguel Angel Jimenez, and two-time defending champion Bernhard Langer. The quartet sits atop a competitive field vying for the $3 million purse on the challenging 6,936-yard, par-72 layout.
Jimenez posted the most balanced scorecard among the leaders, turning in 31 on the front nine before adding a 35 on the back. Allan, Gay, and Langer each shot 34-32, making their moves on the inward nine.
Three players trail by one shot at 5-under 67. Ben Crane mixed six birdies with a bogey for his 32-35 round, while Retief Goosen and Thammanoon Sriroj also reached 67 with steady play throughout the day.
A large group sits at 4-under 68, including former major champions Greg Chalmers, Padraig Harrington, and Jose Maria Olazabal. All three players posted identical 36-32 scorecards, showing strong finishes after modest front-nine performances.
The 3-under 69 group features several notable names, including former major champions Stewart Cink and Ernie Els. Darren Fichardt provided Thursday's most dramatic round, overcoming a 7-over 38 on the front nine with a spectacular 4-under 31 coming home.
Vijay Singh, the three-time major champion, sits at 2-under 70 alongside Tim Herron, Robert Karlsson, and Justin Leonard. Singh struggled early with a 34 on the front nine but steadied with an even-par 36 on the back.
Several prominent players faced difficult opening rounds. Colin Montgomerie and Corey Pavin both shot 3-over 75, while former major champions Angel Cabrera and Rocco Mediate encountered significant struggles. Cabrera posted an 8-over 81, while Mediate withdrew during the round.
The Senior PGA Championship field includes many of golf's most accomplished players, with multiple major champions throughout the leaderboard. The event serves as one of the senior tour's most prestigious championships.
Friday's second round will determine which players advance to weekend play and continue their pursuit of the championship. With ideal scoring conditions expected to continue, the leaders will need to maintain their strong play to stay atop this competitive field.
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*Originally published on [Golf News](https://golfnews.global/article/steve-allan-leads-senior-pga-championship-after-opening-round). Visit for full coverage.*
