With overnight rain and windy conditions to start the day, players had to grind at Monday’s U.S. Senior Open Qualifier at Briarwood Golf Club.

Tim Petrovic (right), thanks to a hot start, earned medalist honors with a round of 67 (-5). Petrovic started five under par through five holes and would make a total of six birdies and an eagle on the day.

“I got off to a quick, quick start,” Petrovic said. “That’s what you need in a one-day event. I just tried to keep it in front of me, I think I had three three-putts, but I played really solid overall. With not playing yesterday (Principal Charity Classic) I was ready to go. I just tried to post a number, have them come shoot at it and see if they could beat me.”

Todd Hamilton (below right), with a 32 (-4) on the back nine, finished just a shot off of Petrovic. Hamilton, winner of the 2004 Open Championship at Troon, also made six birdies on the day.

Larry Mize (below left), the other major champion in the field (1987 Masters), made a 50’ putt on #18 for birdie, good enough for 70 (-2) and the final qualifying spot into the U.S. Senior Open to be played at The Broadmoor, in Colorado Springs, Colo.

“I thought I might need to make a birdie (on #18),” Mize said. “You just have to go out and do the best you can. You hear -1 is a playoff, but you never know. Fortunately I made the putt for birdie. I just tried to take it one hole and a time and with the conditions it was hard to get a number in mind (of what to shoot). I couldn’t get anything going to start and then I made a couple birdies.”

Jon Petersen, who shot 70 (-1), earned the 1st alternate position, while Joe Palmer was second alternate. Palmer was also low amateur in the field.