University of Northern Iowa golf coach John Bermel fired a first-round 73 (+3) at the 2012 U.S. Senior Open, which is being played at Indianwood Golf & Country Club in Lake Orion, Mich.

Bermel began the day strong by going 2-under par after the first seven holes. Bermel recorded a birdie at the par-4 fourth hole and then moved to 2-under with a birdie at the par-4 seventh. Bermel took back-to-back bogeys on the eighth and ninth holes to go out in 35.

Bermel shot 38 on the back nine with his only birdie coming on the par-5 15th hole.

"I am feeling good about my game," Bermel said. "The driver was not good late in the round. I need to get some more practice for the rest of the tournament."

Bermel totaled 30 putts on the round (1.67 avg. per hole), while hitting six of 14 fairways and 10 of 18 greens in regulation.

Bermel will tee off at No. 10 on Friday at 12:40 p.m. (ET). The top 60 and ties following round two will advance to play the weekend's third and fourth rounds.

Live Scoring for 2012 U.S. Senior Open