Haeggman & Dodd share the lead at Hanbury Manor Marriott Hotel & Country Club

It was a day of excellent scoring, despite a long course, blustery conditions and the odd rain shower, with 16 of the 60-man field shooting in the 60s on the par-72 layout in Hertfordshire, England.

Haeggman, who got his first Legends Tour victory at the MCB – Tour Championship Seychelles last December, was the first player to get into the clubhouse on -6. He birdied the 1^st hole before completing his front nine with eight pars in a row. But he came alive on his way home with five birdies, including at both back nine par-3s, to complete his bogey-free 66.

“It’s great to come off a good start as I’ve not had many good starts this season,” said the man who became the first Swede to play in the Ryder Cup in 1993. “It’s nice to be right in the tournament from the very beginning.

“I hit every green on the front side, so it was a little frustrating because I was playing really nicely. But I hit a decent shot into 10 feet on 10 and I stiffed it on 11, and suddenly I was -3. Then I birdied some of the really difficult holes like 16.

“My iron game has been a bit better this week compared to earlier in the season, and driving. I’m a little longer than some of them and I managed to get the ball in the fairway and quite a long way up there.”

2021 Senior Open champion Dodd joined him at the summit by recording eight birdies and two bogeys. The Welshman turned in 33 strokes and birdied three of his last four holes for a much-needed fast start. He sits at 53^rd in the MCB Road to Mauritius with a best finish of tied-11^th in the Swiss Seniors Open.

“I kept it in play well today, which was key,” said Dodd. “It got tricky with the breeze. I drove it fairly, which was a big help today. I can’t remember the last time I had eight red number in one round. It’s normally eight in a week. I’m delighted. I’ve put myself in a good position so we’ll see what the next few days brings.”

Last year’s MCB Road to Mauritius number one James Kingston, Legends Tour rookie Greig Hutcheon and two-time DP World Tour winner Bradley Dredge are tied-2^nd on -5. Tournament host Simon Khan is part of a six-man tie for 6^th after shooting 68. Two-time winners this year Adilson da Silva and Peter Baker are at -2 and +2 respectively.

Visit www.legendstour.com to see the full leaderboard and second round tee times, and to find out more about the Legends Tour Trophy hosted by Simon Khan at Hanbury Manor Marriot Hotel and Country Club.