Jacobsen grabs lead with 6-under round

He's still rehabbing from arthroscopic hip surgery in April.
ST. LOUIS (AP) -- Peter Jacobsen wasn't sure he could even walk the entire course at the U.S. Senior Open, much less contend for the lead.
But Jacobsen, still rehabbing from arthroscopic hip surgery, made four birdies during a six-hole stretch on the back nine Thursday and shot a 6-under 65 to take the first-round lead.
"I'm happy I played 18 holes, and the fact that I played great and scored well is a huge bonus," Jacobsen said.
Craig Stadler had a bogey-free round and was second at 5 under. St. Louis area native Jay Haas birdied the final two holes to cap a 67.
Seven players shot 68s, including Gil Morgan, the leading money-winner on the Champions Tour. Tom Kite was among a group of 10 at 69. All told, 26 players were under par and another 13 were at even par.
Jacobsen, at 50 a Champions Tour rookie, had to withdraw from his past two events because of continuing pain from the hip surgery in April. Weeks on crutches caused his leg muscles to atrophy.
"Hitting the ball is no problem," Jacobsen said. "Walking 18 holes is the difficult part for me."
Longest course
And it's a long walk. Bellerive Country Club, at 7,117 yards, is the longest course in the 25-year history of the Senior Open. Still, scores were low in favorable conditions, with little or no breeze, overcast skies and unseasonably cool temperatures for late July in St. Louis. Twenty players were within four shots of the lead.
"The greens are so soft right now you can fly everything right at the hole," Stadler said.
Jacobsen was 2 under before making birdies on Nos. 12, 13, 15 and 17. He hit 13 of 14 fairways, reached all but three greens in regulation, and did not three-putt all day.
Stadler, 51, a five-time winner on the Champions Tour and fourth on the money list this year, started on the back nine and birdied 13, 14, 17 and 18. He also made a birdie on the par-3 6th.
Defending champion Bruce Lietzke shot a 4-over 75.
Irwin at even par
St. Louis' Hale Irwin shot an even-par 71 in his bid for his third Senior Open championship and second Champions Tour major of the year. He also won the Senior PGA.
"Boy, one birdie, one bogey around here doesn't get it," Irwin said.
Jacobsen said he came into the tournament with low expectations because of the sore hip. Those expectations haven't necessarily gone up despite the strong start.
"Put it this way: My goal is to wake up tomorrow morning and go at 8:05 after playing late today," he said.