Bernhard Langer is on course to post the largest winning margin in history of The Senior Open Championship Presented by Rolex, after further underlining his dominance on the final day.
The 2010 champion took an eight-shot lead into the final round at Royal Porthcawl, but soon set about extending his advantage, with birdies the second and third, before adding further gains at the sixth and seventh, to get to 17 under par at the turn.
The largest winning margin in the history of the championship is seven strokes by Bob Charles at Turnberry in 1989, however the New Zealander’s record is under severe threat, with Langer showing no signs of easing off.
Rick Gibson was Langer’s nearest challenger at four under, but nobody has been able to replicate the form and consistency of the German, who has looked untroubled by the strong winds on the coast of south Wales.
Colin Montgomerie’s quest for a third straight Senior Major Championship would appear to have been dashed by Langer, but the Scot is still enjoying a good week in Wales and he can extend his lead at the top of the Senior Tour Order of Merit.
Montgomerie was level par for his final round at the turn, and three under for the Championship, after recovering from two early bogeys with birdies at the sixth and eighth holes.
Spaniard Miguel Ángel Jimenéz earlier signed for a closing three under par 68, to get back to one over par for the Championship, a score that could see him finish in the top ten come close of play, with the conditions proving difficult.
