Bernard Langer is off and running again
with $315,000 win on US Seniors Tour
Former Ryder Cup player and captain Bernhard Langer, Rookie and Player of the Year on the US Champions (Seniors) Tour last season, has carried on in 2009 where he left on in 2008 - winning the over-50s' season-opening Mitsubishi Electric Championship at Kaupulehu-Kona, Hawaii.
The 51-year-old German, who averaged 26.7 putts and drives over 300 yards, closed with a four-under-par 68, which lifted him up from second place on Saturday night to a one-shot victory from Andy Bean.
"I knew had to birdie one or two holes coming in," Langer said about a key birdie 4 at the long 14th. "I figured he wouldn't drop any shots, so I birdied that hole to go one ahead and that was good enough."
Langer totalled 18-under-par 198 to get his second-year campaign off to a flying start and earn his fifth title in his 26th start on the American seniors' circuit.
"I came into this tournament setting high goals and having high expectations, so it's good to get off a good start," Langer said. "If you start off struggling three or four weeks, it gets into your head and it could get worse. It's much better this way."
Bean, who had his second straight 66, surged into contention with three birdies on the front nine and an eagle on No. 10 but parred the final four. His 10-foot birdie try on 18, to possibly force a playoff, lipped out.
But the 51-year-old German earned $315,000 with this win. Hewas the only player to top the $2 million on the US Seniors Tour last year. As always, Langer was patient and focused.
"I am not a machine," Langer said. "Don't say that. I am definitely not a machine."
The two-time Masters winner owned the back nine at Hualalai. Of his 23 birdies in the tournament, 15 of them were on the back nine.
Langer also had several spectacular saves after missing the green. He got up and down on Nos. 8, 9 and 17 to save par. He sank a 15-footer for par to retain the lead.
The wind finally picked up along the Kona coast, which was blanketed by a haze from the volcanic fog spewing from across the island at Kilauea. And the fog seemed to follow Brad Bryant, who was in command for the first two rounds and closed with a 75 to finish tied for eighth.
After birdieing two of the first three holes to reach 17 under, Bryant built a two-stroke cushion over Langer with 14 holes remaining.
Bryant then self-destructed with a quadruple-bogey 7 via two trips to the water on the 205yd fifth hole.
"That was really a shock," Langer said.
Jay Haas (70) finished alone in third place for the third time in four years at the winners-only Hualalai. Mark McNulty (67) and Jeff Sluman (70) tied for fourth, four strokes back.
Gary Player bettered his age of 73 for the third straight day. He shot his second straight 71 after opening with a 70, and tied for 27th.
with $315,000 win on US Seniors Tour
Former Ryder Cup player and captain Bernhard Langer, Rookie and Player of the Year on the US Champions (Seniors) Tour last season, has carried on in 2009 where he left on in 2008 - winning the over-50s' season-opening Mitsubishi Electric Championship at Kaupulehu-Kona, Hawaii.
The 51-year-old German, who averaged 26.7 putts and drives over 300 yards, closed with a four-under-par 68, which lifted him up from second place on Saturday night to a one-shot victory from Andy Bean.
"I knew had to birdie one or two holes coming in," Langer said about a key birdie 4 at the long 14th. "I figured he wouldn't drop any shots, so I birdied that hole to go one ahead and that was good enough."
Langer totalled 18-under-par 198 to get his second-year campaign off to a flying start and earn his fifth title in his 26th start on the American seniors' circuit.
"I came into this tournament setting high goals and having high expectations, so it's good to get off a good start," Langer said. "If you start off struggling three or four weeks, it gets into your head and it could get worse. It's much better this way."
Bean, who had his second straight 66, surged into contention with three birdies on the front nine and an eagle on No. 10 but parred the final four. His 10-foot birdie try on 18, to possibly force a playoff, lipped out.
But the 51-year-old German earned $315,000 with this win. Hewas the only player to top the $2 million on the US Seniors Tour last year. As always, Langer was patient and focused.
"I am not a machine," Langer said. "Don't say that. I am definitely not a machine."
The two-time Masters winner owned the back nine at Hualalai. Of his 23 birdies in the tournament, 15 of them were on the back nine.
Langer also had several spectacular saves after missing the green. He got up and down on Nos. 8, 9 and 17 to save par. He sank a 15-footer for par to retain the lead.
The wind finally picked up along the Kona coast, which was blanketed by a haze from the volcanic fog spewing from across the island at Kilauea. And the fog seemed to follow Brad Bryant, who was in command for the first two rounds and closed with a 75 to finish tied for eighth.
After birdieing two of the first three holes to reach 17 under, Bryant built a two-stroke cushion over Langer with 14 holes remaining.
Bryant then self-destructed with a quadruple-bogey 7 via two trips to the water on the 205yd fifth hole.
"That was really a shock," Langer said.
Jay Haas (70) finished alone in third place for the third time in four years at the winners-only Hualalai. Mark McNulty (67) and Jeff Sluman (70) tied for fourth, four strokes back.
Gary Player bettered his age of 73 for the third straight day. He shot his second straight 71 after opening with a 70, and tied for 27th.
Labels: Pro seniors
posted by Colin |
See story on its own page | Monday, January 26, 2009
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