MICHIGAN — Richard Bland is hitting it so well he felt he struggled on the greens of Harbor Shores and still managed a 5-under 66 on Friday (Saturday in Manila) to set the target at the Senior PGA Championship in the Englishman's senior major debut.

Bland, who won his first European tour title at 48 and joined Saudi-funded LIV Golf a year later, was at 12-under 130. He played in the morning wave before an afternoon delay because of potentially dangerous weather.

Scott Dunlap was a stroke back, and Chris DiMarco was three shots behind. They each shot 65 in their morning rounds.

Hall of Famer Ernie Els was 8 under, closing his afternoon round with a bogey on the par-4 ninth for a 64. He birdied five of his first six holes, then had three birdies in a four-hole stretch on his final nine.

"I played really great for 17 holes and just my last hole pulled it left, and it went close to the hazard," Els said.

Brain Gay also was 8 under, shooting 67. Defending champion Steve Stricker, who had never played at Harbor Shores, was five strokes behind Bland at 7 under after a 69. Stewart Cink (68), Mike Weir (69), Joakim Haeggman (66) and Richard Green (71) also were 7 under.

Green was tied with Bland for the first-round lead after a 64. Iowa instructor Jeffrey Schmid topped the club professionals, following an opening 66 with a 71 to remain 5 under.

"I let a lot get away today," Schmid said. "It was disappointing. But then I came back and shot even par, too."

Bland was exempt to play the Senior PGA Championship last year under a category for players winning European tour events in the last five years — he won the British Masters at age 48 in 2021.

But last year's Senior PGA was the same week as LIV Golf Bedminster.

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