Bernhard Langer’s grip on The Senior Open Championship Presented by Rolex has strengthened further on moving day at Royal Porthcawl, with the 56 year old giving an exemplary display of front running.
The German, who is looking to seal a wire-to-wire victory in Wales, and a second Senior Open title, posted a front nine of 32, with birdies on the second, fourth and sixth holes to move to 14 under par heading to the back nine.
Colin Montgomerie’s quest for a third Major title of the year has been scuppered by Langer so far, and although the Scot kept in touch with three birdies of his own before the turn, he ran into trouble on the tenth, where he carded a double bogey, to drop back.
Canadian Rick Gibson, and American pair Bob Tway and Scott Dunlap, moved up the leaderboard, with Dunlap signing for a round of 65 to set the clubhouse target of four under par.
American Jeff Sluman is a further two shots back after a round of 67, having negotiated the front nine in just 29 shots. He had nine threes on his card, including seven out of the opening eight holes.
Ireland’s Philip Walton also enjoyed a fine day on the Bridgend links, equalling the course record of 64 set on Friday by American Tom Pernice Jnr.
