PHOENIX (AP) — Bernhard Langer pulled his age again to put himself in position to extend his PGA Tour Champions winning streak to 18 years old.
The 67-year-old German star, with a career-best 46 wins, carded a 4-under 67 Saturday at Phoenix Country Club to take a one-shot lead in the season-ending Charles Schwab Cup championship. He shot his age or better 22 times during the tour.
“I have to continue to play aggressively and hit as many fairways as possible and as many greens,” Langer said. “The key for me is making putts. I have to try to get to 15, 16, 17 greens in regulation if I can and make a bunch of putts.
He fought back after tearing his left Achilles tendon while playing pickelball in February.
“It would mean a lot because of what I’ve been through this year,” Langer said. “And also, I didn’t win this year. This is the first time in my career on the Champions Tour that I have not won in a season. So yes, there will be a little extra effort tomorrow.
Defending champion Steven Alker, second to Ernie Els in the season standings, finished second after a 63 – poised to overtake Els for the $1 million bonus. Els was tied for 14th after a 71.
“The goal was to defend the championship this week and, if I do that, the Schwab Cup will be a bonus,” Alker said.
Alker had a string of five straight birdies, but closed with six straight pars.
Richard Green finished third at 11 under after a 63. Alex Cejka had a 68 to get to 10 under, and Jerry Kelly was 9 under after a 66.
Stewart Cink, who had a three-shot lead after each of the first two rounds, shot a 75 to fall to 8 under.
The top 36 players on the points list qualified for the event, with Steve Stricker being the only qualifier not in the field. He has never played in a playoff tournament on the PGA Tour Champions.
Langer is 22nd in the rankings.
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