Greg Norman failed to repeat his Open Championship heroics today as he shot an opening round of 75 in the British Senior Open at Royal Troon.

The Australian's opening round of four over par failed to live up to last week's performance at Royal Birkdale, where he led the championship with nine holes to play. Norman bogeyed six of the first ten holes and was six over par before he finally picked up shots at and the 13th.and 18th.

The Australian has yet to win a senior's title and was hopeful that this, his fourth event on the tour, might make up for the disappointment at the Open.

While Norman struggled, Tom Watson, his playing partner, hit every green in regulation and missed only one fairway on the way to a round of 70.

"I don't think I have made all 18 greens ever in my life," Watson said, who has won three Senior British Opens. "I am very happy. I shot a good round of golf in unusual conditions with the wind changing direction.

Earlier in the day, Bruce Vaughan had stormed to the top of leaderboard making made eight birdies on his way to a round of 68.

Vaughan has the clubhouse lead after a round which began with a double and a triple bogey in his opening five holes. However, birdies at the sixth and 12th and three birdies in his final six holes transformed his round and gave him a one-shot lead over John Cook.

"It was either feast or famine," Vaughan said. "Outside of those two hockey sticks (7s) it was a good round."