Langer furthers his claim for Ryder Cup inclusion

Post from Sports Writer Derek Clements

There were a couple of big stories on the Champions Tour at the weekend that you may have missed. First of all, Kevin Sutherland became the first man in the history of the tour to shoot a 59 - he did it in the second round of the Dick's Sporting Goods Open, and it could have been even better.

And the tournament was won by Bernhard Langer - it was his fifth of the year and the 23rd since turning 50. On top of that, he managed to get through the entire tournament without a bogey. And all of this with his daughter, Christina, on his bag.

Sadly, Sutherland followed his 59 with a 74 to drop into a tie for seventh.

https://twitter.com/PGATOUR/status/501198047884607488/photo/1

Langer closed with a six-under 66 for a one-stroke victory over Woody Austin and Mark O'Meara. Langer finished at 16-under 200 at En-Joie and was delighted with his play. "It doesn't happen very often you go through a tournament without a bogey," Langer said.

Sutherland, the second-round leader, had five bogeys - four on the first 10 holes - and three birdies in the final round. Playing his third Champions Tour event since turning 50 in June, he finished at 12 under, and admitted that he tried too hard.

"So, I made some dumb bogeys," Sutherland said. "Just got myself behind early. I was surprised I didn't play better. A lot of energy was expended (during his 59) and I think I had a hard time just getting into the round."

Langer said he did not watch the leaderboard. "I knew I was close," Langer said. "I just tried to keep my head down and make quality shots. When I looked at 16, I saw I was one up on someone who had already finished the round and figured I would be OK if I just parred out."

He did that with ease, winning for the first time with Christina serving as his caddie. "I was more nervous for her than for me," Langer said. "We hadn't won a tournament with her caddying, though I've won a couple with my son. It's always special when your kids are caddying."

Austin had a 65, and O'Meara shot 66.

Langer, now tied for fifth with Bob Charles on the Champions Tour's all-time victory list, earned $277,500 to take his prize money for the year to an impressive  $2,652,520. He has won three of his past five tournaments.

Steve Lowery had a 72 to tie for fourth at 13 under. After challenging Langer for most of the round he hit his tee shot into the pond on the par-three 14th on his way to a double bogey and dropped another stroke on the par-four 15th.
Lowery had birdied the seventh, eighth and ninth holes to take a one-stroke lead at 15 under. But on the 14th, Langer made a 20-foot birdie putt for a three-stroke swing.

Derek Clements is a sports journalist with a particular passion for golf with over 12 years of experience covering golf and other sports including Chief Sub-Editor on the sports desk of The Sunday Times. To contact Derek email direct via [email protected]