Ryder Cup legend Bernhard Langer believes that players on the European Senior Tour can continue to push boundaries, starting with this year’s Senior Open Championship Presented by Rolex.
Langer, a ten-time Ryder Cup player and former European Captain, is currently two shots behind the leaders at Carnoustie Golf Links, but remains confident ahead of Friday’s second round.
“I feel like my game is very close,” said Langer. “I just have to try and hit a few more quality iron shots and get a little closer to the hole.
“I’m right there, you can’t win the tournament on the first day. You can lose it by messing up real bad, but there’s a lot of golf to be played.”
On the US Champions Tour, Langer has competed in 11 events in 2016, winning three and finishing in the top ten on six more occasions.
At this year’s Senior Open, he is bidding to emulate the feats of Gary Player and Tom Watson and become the third player to win the senior Claret Jug on three occasions.
“I think we can still get better – I truly believe that,” said Langer. “I’m convinced that you can become a better golfer as you mature. Because I’ve had more years to work on my technique, I can still become a better ball striker.
“I may lose some distance, I may lose some strength and flexibility, but I might have a better understanding of my own swing and what works and what doesn’t.
“I’ve certainly played tremendous golf over the last ten or 12 years, and I had some great years before that too.
“A lot of the game is mental too. You need to be hungry or eager to do well, which I think most of the field here are, or they wouldn’t fly halfway around the world just to see Carnoustie. They want to play well.”
During his busiest periods on the European Tour, Langer played in as many as 23 events in a single campaign. He now believes that regular breaks throughout the season contribute to his longevity in professional golf.
“I’ve learned to pace myself,” he said. “A few years ago, you just played whatever tournament there was, you just entered and played. One time I played 11 in a row.
“Now, two or three is pretty much the most. I’ve learned what’s good for me. You’ve got to listen to yourself and your body. I don’t like going more than two, really. Every once in a while I go three if I absolutely have to.
“I put the clubs away for a week or four or five days, even in the middle of the season and just do other stuff. I think that’s good for me. It gives me a chance to come back and think ‘let’s get back into it and work on it again’, instead of ‘I’ve got to play another this, or another that, just dragging along.’”
