Langer lands maiden Seniors Tour title

9/7/2008

Bernhard Langer clinched his maiden European Seniors Tour title at the inaugural Casa Serena Open to close the gap on Ian Woosnam at the top of the Order of Merit after winning the battle of the former Masters Champions.

Langer carded a third consecutive four under par 67 to finish on 11 under par 201, three strokes clear of the Welshman who birdied the last for a one under par 71 to finish runner up on nine under par204.

Germany’s Langer, one of Europe’s most decorated golfers, posted birdies on the first , 12th, 14th and 18th holes, while Woosnam dropped shots on the third and 11th holes after also opening with a birdie before picking up shots on the 14th and 18th.

It was another flawless round of golf from Langer, who only dropped one shot during his 54 holes at Casa Serena Golf, near Prague, to complete a double in the Czech Republic following his win at the Czech Open in 1997.

The 51 year old’s victory at the tournament staged by Langer Sport Marketing, the company run by his brother Erwin, means only €12,787 now separates the two Ryder Cup winning Captains at the top of the Order of Merit.

Langer said his consistency over the three rounds had landed him the title, although he said the course at Casa Serena Golf had proved a tough challenge.

Englishman Gordon J Brand’s pursuit of three consecutive victories faltered when he opened with back-to-back birdies but he recovered to sign for a one under par 70 and keep up the pressure on the top two in the Order of Merit. Brand finished tied third with American Bob Boyd, who also shot a 70 to record his best finish of 2008 so far.

1.  Bernhard Langer               GER  67 67 67 201 -12
2.  Ian Woosnam                  WAL  65 69 70 204 - 9
3.  Bob Boyd                         USA  67 68 70 205 - 8
     Gordon J. Brand                ENG  68 67 70 205 - 8
5.  Domingo Hospital              ESP  67 69 70 206 - 7
     Peter Mitchell                    ENG  67 67 72 206 - 7
7.  Ross Drummond               SCO  70 65 72 207 - 6
     Tony Johnstone                 ZIM  67 70 70 207 - 6
     José Rivero                       ESP  69 69 69 207 - 6
10, John Bland                       SAF  71 69 68 208 - 5
     Delroy Cambridge              JAM  70 69 69 208 - 5
     Carl Mason                       ENG  70 66 72 208 - 5
     Costantino Rocca               ITA  71 67 70 208 - 5

61. Jan Juhaniak                    CZE  78 70 74 222 +9

Source: European Tour