Bernhard Langer, who created golfing history in 2010 by capturing Senior Major Championships in consecutive weeks, returns to Scotland next month on a mission to reclaim the Senior Open Championship Presented by Rolex at Turnberry.
The 54 year old German made his Senior Major breakthrough at Carnoustie two years ago by making amends for several close calls in The Open Championship and landing the Senior equivalent by a shot from Corey Pavin.
Only seven days later, Langer was back in the winner’s enclosure as US Senior Open Champion, beating another American Major Champion in Fred Couples by a comfortable margin of three strokes at Sahalee in Washington State.
Those back-to-back Major triumphs - the first since Tom Watson in 2003 – earned Langer numerous accolades at the end of a remarkable season in which he topped the US Champions Tour Money List and was named Player of the year for the third successive season.
Langer, who enjoyed a glittering career before turning 50, winning two Masters Green Jackets at Augusta National then leading Europe to Ryder Cup glory in 2004, is relishing his first visit to Turnberry on the Ayrshire coast since competing in The Open in 1994.
He said: “It was an incredible couple of weeks in 2010 and it all seemed a bit of a whirlwind. After the best part of three years as one of the dominant Senior players I still hadn’t won a Major, so to win two in the space of a week was fantastic.
“The Open was the Major I always wanted to win and I came so close but never managed to get there, so Carnoustie represented a form of redemption, you might say. I had Corey snapping at my heels all the way, so to win the Senior Open with my brother, Erwin, and some friends watching was very satisfying. To win any Senior Major is meaningful, but especially so over such a great course.”
Langer finished tied 12thbehind American Russ Cochran in his defence of the Senior Open title at Walton Heath last year, but as the last European to win – and in Scotland for that matter – he can’t wait to find his best form at glorious Turnberry.
“I don’t believe I’ve been back at Turnberry since The Open in 1994 so it’s going to be great to see the course again” he said. “Scotland is blessed to have so many great links courses and I love playing there, where the people are so knowledgeable about the game. I am really looking forward to the Championship.”
Discounted advance tickets for The Senior Open Championship Presented by Rolex can now be purchased online, with season passes now available at £60 and any one day tickets at £18. They can be booked onlinehere, whereother discounts and offers can also be found.
Hospitality packages are also now available at £95 per person inc VAT, which includes admittance to the course along with a three-course lunch and glass of champagne in Turnberry’s signature restaurant, 1906, reserved parking, a Championship programme and a draw sheet.
American Cochran won The 2011 Senior Open Championship at Walton Heath, England, holding off the challenge of former Open Champion Mark Calcavecchia, three-time Senior Open Champion Watson and 2010 United States Ryder Cup Captain Pavin.
