Bernhard Langer returns to Augusta National this week to mark the 25th anniversary of his first Masters Tournament victory as he joins fellow European Senior Tour Members Sandy Lyle and Ian Woosnam in the field.
Langer captured the first of two Green Jackets in 1985, finishing two shots clear of Curtis Strange, Seve Ballesteros and Ray Floyd before repeating that success in 1993.
The German, who has been a dominant force on the Senior circuit over the past two seasons topping the US Champions Tour Money list in both 2008 and 2009, will tee it up alongside Americans Scott Verplank and Brad Benjamin for the first two rounds.
He is in the group after former World Number One Woosnam, who claimed the Green Jacket in 1991. Woosnam, the winner of the 2008 Senior Tour Order of Merit, is joined by American Brian Gay and Australian Marc Leishman.
Both Langer and Woosnam will be hoping to replicate the kind of performance produced by Lyle last year, when the Scot rolled back the years to finish in a share of 20th place.
Lyle won the Masters Tournament in 1988 – adding to his success at The Open Championship three years previously – becoming the first Briton to wear the famous Green Jacket. His stunning seven iron from the bunker on the last hole, which set up a birdie to seal his victory, is revered as one of the greatest shots at Augusta National.
Lyle will play alongside Americans Kevin Na and Justin Leonard for the first two days, as he attempts to make the cut for the fourth consecutive year.
Other Senior players in the field include 60 year old Tom Watson, a two-time winner in Georgia and runner-up in last year’s Open Championship, the 1983 Masters Champion Ben Crenshaw and the in-form Fred Couples, the 1992 Master Tournament winner who has three straight victories on the US Champions Tour.
