Bernhard Langer became the first player since Arnold Palmer 30 years ago to successfully defend the Constellation Senior Players Championship title with a comprehensive six-stroke victory over Kirk Triplett.
Starting the final round at Belmont Country Club with a staggering eight-shot lead, Langer closed the deal with a final round 68 to finish with a 19 under par 265 as he cruised to his fifth Major Championship title. It means six of the last seven Senior Majors have been won by either Langer or Colin Montgomerie.
Just as Montgomerie defended his US Senior PGA crown last month, Langer retained his title to match the feat of Palmer in 1985-86. Langer also joins Palmer (1985) and Jack Nicklaus (1990) as the only wire-to-wire winners of the Constellation Senior Players as he notched up his 24th Champions Tour title.
With five major titles now to his credit, Langer also draws level with Palmer and Miller Barber and moves within three of Jack Nicklaus’ record of eight.
“It was a magical week,” Langer said. “Obviously, to do something that Arnie did is amazing … found my game and played some really good golf from the get-go.
“It’s fun. I enjoy playing with a big lead. You’ve still got to pay attention … You never know what happens. This game is so amazing. It’ brutally tough when things go wrong and enthralling and thrilling when things go right.”
There were shades of Royal Porthcawl, where Langer won The Senior Open Championship presented by Rolex last summer by an unlikely 13 strokes. In Wales, Langer also had an eight-shot lead after three rounds to match the largest margin in Champions Tour history. This time he didn’t extend the lead but, in truth, it might have been overkill.
“It's difficult to compare anything, but whenever you have a lead on a very good field, it takes some really good play because there's a lot of great champions out there, great players,” Langer said.
Langer’s next tilt at Major Championship glory will be at the US Senior Open followed by his defence of thes Senior Open Championship presented by Rolex title.
