Langer’s superb 13-shot win breaks all records

British Seniors Open: Bernhard Langer strolled into the golfing record books at Royal Porthcawl yesterday as he pulverised a star-studded field to land his second British Senior Open title and a cheque for €249,000 as treble-chasing Colin Montgomerie rallied to grab second spot after a disappointing Saturday.

The 56-year-old German was the only player in the 144-strong field to truly master this challenging links course and romp to a staggering 13-stroke victory, the biggest in the history of Senior Major Championships.

Langer was in a class of his own as he posted scores of 65, 66, 68 and 67 even defying yesterday’s stiffening southerly wind. It was only a matter of how many he would win by once he had carded his third round 68.

The German was quickly out of the blocks with birdies at two of the first three holes and picked up two more birdies on his way to the turn in 32 to stretch his advantage still further.

A momentary lapse cost him a bogey five on the 11th but he immediately made amends with a birdie two at the short 12th. Then five pars followed before he put his second shot at the last on to the back of the green and took two to get down for a birdie four and a brilliant 67 for a 266 total.

“I just did not make too many mistakes. My driving was good and so was my long putting. I lacked concentration a couple of times but it really has been a wonderful week,” said Langer who now qualifies to play in next year’s Open at St Andrews.