Langer extends lead to eight-shots
Bernhard Langer extended his lead to eight-shots as took another step towards a second career Senior Open tile.
Langer has dominated the event from the start and despite not producing his best in Saturday’s third round, it will take something special to beat him at the Royal Porthcawl course.
Colin Montgomerie, who was 3-under on the front nine, looked as if he would give the German a run for his money, but his charge fell apart on the back nine where he dropped four shots.
Langer, who won the previous senior major in the form of the Players Championship last month, looks set to add to the Senior Open title he won at Carnoustie in 2010.
A birdie at the last hole ensured that he finished the third round with a three-under-par 68.
“I hit some good drives,” said Langer to Sky Sports.
“The one at 18, I still can’t believe how far that went. But that’s how it is right now, it’s very bouncy and firm and I was very fortunate not to end up in a bunker there on 18.
“I think at one stage Monty got to within seven but it was always about that mark. That was always my goal, not to relinquish any shots to the rest of the field. I only increased [the lead] by one but it’s better than the other way around.”
Despite the huge advantage – which matches the largest 54-hole lead in senior major history – Langer insisted that he would not be taking anything for granted.
He lost in a play-off to Mark Wiebe in last year’s event at Royal Birkdale after enjoying a fairly comfortable lead heading into the final round.
“I think we can expect a lot of wind tomorrow and I’m still going to have to hit a lot of good golf shots and makes some putts and stay out of trouble,” said Langer.
“It’s the only major in senior European golf and it’s a beautiful trophy, it would be very exciting to win a second one.”
As Montgomerie faded, it fell to Canada’s Rick Gibson, who shot a 66 to go six-under-par for the tournament, and the American duo of Bob Tway, who is five-under par, to lead the chase.
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