NAPLES, Fla. (AP) — Bernhard Langer held a two-stroke lead over the field on Saturday as he pursued a fourth Chubb Classic title.
On Tiburon Golf Club’s Black Course, the 64-year-old German star shot a 4-under 68 to go to 12-under 132 a day after shooting his age.
Langer stated, “It was a little more up and down.” “I had a pretty clean card yesterday, no bogeys.” I had seven birdies today, but three bogeys. Today was a little more difficult for me. “There’s a different wind direction this time, and it’s also a stronger breeze.”
In the PGA Tour Champions’ first full-field tournament of the year, Scott Parel (64), Retief Goosen (67), and Tim Petrovic (68) tied for second.
Langer won the event in 2011 at The Quarry and again in 2013 and 2016 at TwinEagles, which is now in its 35th year and is the longest-running PGA Tour Champions tournament in the same city. On the 50-and-over circuit, the two-time Masters champion with 42 victories and six Charles Schwab Cup season points titles.
Langer commented, “I’m going to have to play another solid round tomorrow or even better to lift the trophy.” “Keep the ball in play, out of difficulty, and make a few putts,” says the player. That is always beneficial.”
Langer made birdies on the par-5 15th and par-4 16th holes, bogeyed the par-4 17th, and finished with an 8-foot birdie putt on the 18th.
Langer stated, “It’s wonderful to have a two-shot lead, not a one-shot lead.” “It’s good to make a putt and finish the day strong while also giving the crowd something to cheer about.”
Goosen made 15 and 18 birdies.
“Well, tomorrow will be a different wind,” Goosen said. “We’ve had southwest for a while now. Today’s wind direction was northwest. Tomorrow, I believe it will be returning to the south or southwest. As a result, the course is different every day.
For his lone Champions title, the two-time US Open champion won the 2019 Senior Players Championship.
“It’s one of those courses where if you hit it nicely, you have a chance at birdie,” Goosen said. “You can hit short irons in a lot of the holes.” Get a hot putter, and you’ll be able to shoot a low score.”
Nos. 15, 16, and 18 were birdied by Parel.
“It’s great,” Parel said of playing with Langer on Sunday. “He’s incredible.” I saw him the day before yesterday. ‘I’m pleased you’re shooting your age instead of mine, because we wouldn’t have a chance.’ No, I prefer to play with Bernhard. He’s clearly a unique golfer and a greater person than he is a golfer.”
Steven Alker birdied the 18th for 65, putting him at 8 under par with Jerry Kelly (68).
Brian Gay and Y.E. Yang were both 7 under par in their senior debuts, shooting 70-67. Gay celebrated his 50th birthday on December 14th. In the fall of 2020, he won the Bermuda Championship on the PGA Tour.
Yang celebrated his 50th birthday on January 15th. The 2009 PGA Championship was won by a South Korean golfer.
Scott Dunlap (69) and Ernie Els (68) were also 7 under.
Last year’s winner, Steve Stricker, was unable to defend his title while he recovers from a sickness that put him in the hospital late last year.
Miguel Angel Jimenez, the 2019 champion at The Classics at Lely Resort, had a 70 to get to 3 under after winning the Mitsubishi Electric Championship last month in Hawaii.
Jim Furyk made his second consecutive 71. He made a triple bogey on No. 3 before rallying with birdies on three of the next four holes.
After a 72 in his third Champions appearance, Padraig Harrington was 5 over par. In his second senior appearance, David Duval followed up an opening 80 with a 75.
