Bernhard Langer has a record-setting tenth Senior Major Championship in his sights as he moved four shots clear after the third round of the Senior Open Championship Presented by Rolex at Royal Porthcawl.
The two-time Masters Tournament winner secured his ninth Senior Major success at the KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship in May, matching Gary Player’s record. He will take a four shot lead over fellow former Ryder Cup Captain Corey Pavin into tomorrow’s final round.
Langer, a two-time winner of the Senior Open, was one of five players who started the day at the top of the leaderboard on one over par as the 82 golfers who successfully made the cut took advantage of much calmer conditions on the Welsh links.
He started his round with birdies on the second and third holes, adding two more to make the turn in 31. Two more birdies followed as he bids to emulate his Senior Open victory on this course in 2014.
Pavin, who is seeking redemption in Wales after leaving the country as losing Ryder Cup Captain in 2010, equalled Langer’s six under par 65 and sits in solo second place.
“It was an easier day to play golf, no doubt about that,” said Pavin. “There’s a lot of good scores out there and, fortunately, things went well for me today.
“I’m in a good spot. I’ll go out there tomorrow and play the best I can and see where I end up.”
Spaniard Miguel Angel Jiménez, who finished tied third at last year’s Senior Open, is joined in fourth place by American pair Steve Flesch and Billy Mayfair on one over par.
Magnus P Atlevi, Santiago Luna and Phillip Price, winners on the European Senior Tour in the last 12 months, join Scott Dunlap in a share of seventh place on two over par.
Tom Watson is one of six Americans tied for 11th place after shooting his age, 67, in an imperious display.
The final round of the Senior Open Championship will begin at 07:30 on Sunday morning with a two tee start from holes one and ten. The final group will tee off at 09:40, with a scheduled finish time of 14:30.
Tickets are available online or on the gate. For more information visit www.senioropenchampionship.com.
