Not since Tom Watson at Turnberry in 2009 have we seen a European Senior Tour player come close to victory in a Major Championship, that was until Bernhard Langer rolled back the years this weekend at Augusta National.
The German opened the tournament with rounds of 72 and 73, before a two under par 70 left him tied for third with Hideki Matsuyama at the close of play on Saturday as he made a bid to become the oldest Major Champion.
No stranger to a Green Jacket, Langer has two to his name after winning in 1985 and 1993 and he will surely have his sights set on a third Senior Open trophy, and fourth Senior Major Championship victory, at The Senior Open Championship Presented by Rolex at Carnoustie in July.
Langer will return to the course where he won his first Senior Open six years ago and, after finishing as runner-up in 2013 and winning again in 2014, he will certainly be in the running when the Senior Open Championship tees off on July 21.
The 58 year old will be one of a number of Major Champions and Ryder Cup stars teeing-off on the Championship Course, where Langer won by one shot ahead of Corey Pavin in 2010.
Andy Stubbs, Managing Director of the European Senior Tour, on behalf of the Championship, said: “Bernhard’s performance in this year’s Masters captured a lot of people’s imaginations and it bore a striking resemblance to the Open Championship performances of Tom Watson in 2009 at Turnberry and Greg Norman in 2007 at Royal Birkdale.
“Langer will certainly be one of the players to watch at this year’s Senior Open Championship but he will face stiff competition from a number of household names, including last year’s winner Marco Dawson, when we return to Carnoustie in July.”
Tickets and hospitality for The Senior Open Championship Presented by Rolex can be purchasedhere.
