Notebook: Palmer Hints That This Could Be The End

By John Albers and Alex Miceli

Kettering, Ohio - Despite his advancing age – and advancing scores – Arnold Palmer continues to enjoy unparalleled popularity among golf fans.

Playing in the morning Thursday at the U.S. Senior Open, on the course at the same time as fan favorites Ben Crenshaw, Greg Norman and Curtis Strange, Palmer's following was arguably the largest.

All of the goodwill could not help Palmer's scorecard, however, as he carded a 14-over-par 85 in favorable scoring conditions.

"I just played awful," said a calm Palmer afterward. "I was trying to push the ball farther than I should have because the distance. I was probably foolish in even thinking I could play well this week.

"But my swing is much better than it has been."

Tom Watson sank a 50-footer on the 12th hole for a birdie, bringing joy to last week's Senior British Open winner. (Steve Gibbons/USGA)

The 75-year-old Palmer has now played in 25 U.S. Senior Opens, although he missed the cut in his last six. His round of 85 on Thursday marked his 10th score in the 80s during that span. Regardless, Palmer still hears constant shouts of encouragement from the gallery.

"They have a lot to do with why I'm playing this week," said Palmer. "That and the USGA, the association I have had with them for a long time, brought me out here this year. I just felt like it would be good to wind it up at 25 years."

While Palmer's comments might be understood to mean that this will be his last USGA championship, no one is quite sure. He said that he has "no intention to play much at all" next year, but the legendary competitor would not completely rule anything out, as he has said for several years.

Famous Face In The Crowd

He went largely unnoticed during Thursday's first round, but legendary NHL coach Scotty Bowman served as a scoring supervisor. Still under contract as a consultant with the Detroit Red Wings, Bowman, as he is wont to do, volunteered his services this week. Last week he worked at the Senior British Open, walking with Jack Nicklaus during his final round before he missed the cut. A few years ago he volunteered at the U.S. Open.

Bowman walked with Palmer at NCR Thursday, hiding under sunglasses and and Hockey Hall of Fame cap, acknowledging those in the gallery only when noticed.

Craig Stadler, an ardent fan of the Red Wings' archrival Colorado Avalanche, didn't notice Bowman but would have talked hockey with him if he had, he said.

Fighting The Flu

Ron Streck is making his first appearance in the Senior Open and shot a 2-under-par 69 to take a comfortable position on the leaderboard just below the leaders. But this day was in doubt as late as last week because Streck had the flu and almost had to withdraw.

Not until Tuesday did Streck's fever break. He decided to give it a go, arriving in Dayton Tuesday night and getting one practice round in on Wednesday afternoon.

"Had a yardage book, so that was good enough," said Streck of not having much experience around NCR.

Streck started out quickly with four birdies over the first 10 holes and was the leader in the early morning, but three bogeys over the last eight holes against one birdie and Streck would fall out of the lead.

"Got a little tired on the back side," said Streck. "Just played really well."

Strange's Ace

Curtis Strange made history in his first U.S. Senior Open with a hole-in-one on the par-3 13^th hole.  Using a 3-iron from 202 yards, Strange never saw the ball go in, but the grandstand let him know loud and clear.  It was Strange's 11^th ace in competition and his first since his hole-in-one at the 1988 Masters when he conquered the par-3 12^th hole.

It was the 11^th ace in Senior Open history and the first since last year at Bellerive Country Club, when three were made – by John Aubrey, Mike McCullough and Pat Tallent, all in the first round.

It is also the sixth ace on the Champions Tour this year and third in two weeks, as Tony Price and Nick Job made holes-in-one in the first round of the Senior British Open last week at Royal Aberdeen.

Wadkins Pulls Out

Bobby Wadkins, 54, withdrew after 12 holes Thursday, citing a back injury.

Ken Klavon contributed.