Langer, Woosnam, Mitchell are
second-round Czech mates

FROM STEVE TODD, SENIORS TOUR PRESS OFFICER
Bernhard Langer and Ian Woosnam, the top two on the European Seniors Tour Order of Merit, set up a mouth-watering final day at the Casa Serena Open after an enthralling second round saw them locked at the top of the leaderboard along with Peter Mitchell.
Langer matched Mitchell’s round of 67 to join him on eight under par 134, while overnight leader Woosnam staged a stunning back nine comeback to card a 69 after struggling on the way out where he was three over par for the first six holes.
With the in-form Gordon J Brand, winner of the past two tournaments and third in the race for The John Jacobs Trophy, also just one shot behind the leaders, it promises to be a fascinating final round at Casa Serena Golf, in the Czech Republic.
Woosnam dropped a shot on the fourth hole then posted a double bogey on the sixth before a birdie on the ninth ignited his round, sparking a run of four consecutive birdies. He picked up another shot at 14th but bogeyed the 17th before finishing with another birdie on 18, where he even had an eagle chance for the outright lead.
The Welshman said: “I struggled all the way. I just didn’t play well at all to start off with. I didn’t get into any rhythm at all and struggled to concentrate. I kept driving into the rough and couldn’t get it into play. Then I got my address position a bit better and started playing better. But for that shot on the 17th hole I played pretty well for 10 holes.
“I’m going to have to up my game tomorrow. Although I had a good score yesterday I got away with it today. It’s an exciting day for the Order of Merit tomorrow. It could make a big difference and it’s great for the tournament.”
Langer, meanwhile, enjoyed a somewhat less eventful round, starting and finishing with a birdie and picking up further shots in between on the fifth and 13th hole in his flawless 67.
“I played well today. I hit a lot of fairways and a lot of greens but just didn’t make as many putts. I was really happy with my game,” said the German.
“It’s very bunched up on the leaderboard. There’s not just two or three of us there is a lot of guys on seven and six under par who all have a chance so you’ll have to play well to win.”
While the attention will inevitably be on the two Ryder Cup winning Captains, Mitchell is also one to watch after already pipping Woosnam to the silverware once already this season, at the Ryder Cup Wales Seniors Open.
He said: “There are some great players on that leaderboard and someone will have to take advantage. It would be lovely to win again but I’m not even thinking about that.
“I found my game today a bit more than the last three times I played.”
Englishman Brand, who is chasing a hat-trick of victories after wins at the De Vere Collection Seniors PGA Championship and the Travis Perkins plc Masters, signed for a 68 to join American Bob Boyd and Scotland’s Ross Drummond on seven under par 135. Drummond equalled Woosnam’s first round course record 65 to surge up the field. Carl Mason’s recent renaissance continued after he carded a 66 to lie two shots off the lead on six under par 136.
Leading scores
134 B Langer (Ger) 67 67; I Woosnam (Wal) 65 69; P Mitchell (Eng) 67 67;
135 G Brand (Eng) 68 67; R Drummond (Sco) 70 65; B Boyd (USA) 67 68;
136 C Mason (Eng) 70 66; D Hospital (Esp) 67 69;
137 A Sowa (Arg) 68 69; T Johnstone (Zim) 67 70;

.