Langer revival continues

Less than six months away from his 50th birthday Bernhard Langer continued his recent revival with a four under par 66 on the opening day of the Honda Classic at Palm Beach Gardens in Florida today.

Langer came home in just 32 strokes with birdies at the second, fifth and ninth to tuck in just behind the early leader, South Korea’s Charlie Wi.

The German’s round came just four days after Fred Funk became the circuit’s fifth oldest winner at 50 years eight months.

On his one previous start this year Langer, who ended 2006 by partnering Marcel Siem to victory at the World Cup in Barbados, was 13th in the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic in California, his performance there including a third round 63.

Ireland’s Padraig Harrington and England’s Brian Davis both produced two under par 68s to be in a tie for seventh place, but defending champion Luke Donald had six bogeys in his first 10 holes and was way down the field on five over.

Alongside him was Greg Owen following a 75, while Ian Poulter stood level par with eight to play.