Ryder Cup legend Bernhard Langer hopes it will be third time lucky when he goes in search of the WINSTONgolf Senior Open title this week as the European Senior Tour returns to his native Germany.
The ten-time Ryder Cup player and 2004 Captain narrowly missed out on the title in 2014 as he lost to Paul Wesselingh in a play-off, and, in 2012, he finished tied eighth.
Back on home soil, Langer is also on the hunt for a first German title since the 2001 Linde German Masters.
“I love coming back here,” said Langer. “It’s home and it doesn’t happen much anymore. It’s always good to come back to my roots and I get the chance to visit my mother and brother.
“I have played this event twice, but haven’t won yet. Hopefully the third time is the charm.”
Since the event was introduced to the European Senior Tour Schedule in 2012, the WINSTONgolf Senior Open has been played on the WINSTONopen course.
However, in this year’s edition of the tournament, the event will be played on the unique WINSTONlinks course – designed by David Krause as an ‘inland links’.
With the Senior Open Championship Presented by Rolex taking place later this month, Langer, a double winner of the prestigious event, including in 2010 at this year’s venue Carnoustie, believes that this week’s tournament in Germany offers an ideal opportunity to help prepare for the test of Carnoustie from July 21-24.
“I’ve only played the WINSTONlinks course once before,” said Langer. “But you’d think you were in the middle of Scotland. It really is a links course. You want to stay out of the pot bunkers and away from the sand dunes.
“The greens are pretty tricky too, there’s a lot of undulation, particularly on the front nine.
“This links course is good preparation for us. The wind will blow this week, so you really have to manoeuvre your shots correctly and keep the ball low.”
Langer is currently in incredible form, having started 11 events on the PGA TOUR Champions circuit, securing three victories and a further six top ten finishes. But the 42-time European Tour winner knows he can’t take anything for granted against the 60-man field which includes 11 additional former Ryder Cup players.
“My form has been phenomenal in the first ten tournaments or so in America, and hopefully that will continue,” he said.
“But it’s never easy playing these events. You have the 60 best European Senior Tour players in the field. They are proven winners and have done this for many years. It’s a challenge, no doubt about it.”
Langer is up against fellow Ryder Cup captain Ian Woosnam, and a number of former Ryder Cup players including Paul Broadhurst, David Gilford, Barry Lane and 1989 European Tour Order of Merit winner Ronan Rafferty.
Gordon Manson, Tim Thelen and Zhang Lianwei, winners so far on the 2016 Senior Tour circuit, are also in the field, bidding to become the first golfer to win two events this year.
