Monty trails leader Langer by nine shots

Bernhard Langer shot his second consecutive 6-under-par 65 Friday to extend his lead to four shots halfway through the Senior Players Championship.

Langer sank a 40-foot birdie putt on 16 in a round in which he hit 17 greens in regulation at Belmont Country Club. He's seeking to become the first repeat winner of the major event since Arnold Palmer in 1984-85.

Russ Cochran also shot 65 and sat alone in second place.

Steve Pate set a course-record with a bogey-free 63 that left him in a three-way tie for third and six shots back, with Lee Janzen and Jesper Parnevik.

Colin Montgomerie, winner of last month's Senior PGA Championship, carded a 71 and was nine shots back in his quest for a fourth major title in seven starts.