Overnight leader Bernhard Langer continued his scintillating start at Royal Porthcawl to put clear water between him and the field in the second round of The Senior Open Championship Presented by Rolex.
The German followed his opening round of 65 with a five under par 66 to set a daunting clubhouse mark of 11 under par and open up a commanding seven stroke advantage over England’s Chris Williams.
Langer dropped a shot on the opening hole when he pulled his four iron tee shot into the rough and then overshot the green, but that was his only bogey of the day as he exerted his control over Wales’ first Senior Major Championship.
The 2004 European Ryder Cup captain posted a hat-trick of birdies from the fourth hole to reach the turn in 33, the added further gains on the 11th, 12th and the 18th hole, where he shaved the hole with a ten foot eagle putt.
Langer took a two shot lead to the 72nd hole at Royal Birkdale last year but eventually lost in a play-off to Mark Wiebe. However, he appears determined not to let anyone get close to him this time round, and looks set to take a sizeable advantage into the weekend, with Noboru Sugai’s Senior Open record of a four stroke lead at the halfway stage in 2002 looking distinctly in jeopardy.
“It's always enjoyable to be at the top,” said Langer. “It is more fun being in front than behind. Playing good golf is a lot of fun on a great golf course, one that is really challenging. You really have to think.
“Every shot can grab you, and one poor shot can cost you two or three, so you have got to be very careful, very smart and then hopefully execute properly and hit the right shots and then you've still got to make a few putts.”
Langer’s breathless pace draw comparisons with the finer performance of his compatriot Martin Kaymer in last month’s US Open Championship, and the former Masters Champion is more than satisfied with his start as he chases a second Senior Open crown, following his win at Carnoustie in 2010.
“I can't remember if I've had any similar rounds in the past, but it's definitely very, very good golf. To make two bogeys, but more importantly, 16 birdies along with it is not easily done in these conditions.”
Williams eagled the 11th hole en route to a round of 70 to move to four under par, with his fellow Englishman Barry Lane posting a round of 69 for a one under par total.
Meanwhile, Langer’s playing partner Miguel Angel Jiménez, who is making his debut in The Senior Open Championship, moved up the leaderboard with an eventful two under par 69, which was bookended by eagles on the first and 18th holes, but also included a double bogey on the par five sixth hole.
