Bernhard Langer continued his domination of the Senior Major scene with a six stroke win at the Senior Players Championship to record a second event win in as many years.
The former Masters champion recorded his first win of the year in spectacular fashion, leading from start to finish.
“I enjoy playing with a big lead. But you’ve still got to pay attention. It’s not like it’s over,” said Langer. “You just never know what happens. This game is so amazing: It’s brutally tough when things go bad, and enthralling and thrilling when things go right.”
Langer has become only the second player to successfully defend his Senior Players title since Arnold Palmer, who achieved the feat in 1984 and ’85.
“It was a magical week,” Langer said. “Obviously, to do something that Arnie did is amazing.”
Colin Montgomerie followed up a win at the previous Major with a tied-third finish at Belmont Country Club, after having to visit hospital with chest pains early on Sunday morning.
How Monty retained his Senior PGA Championship title
“I decided the prudent thing was to go in and get checked,” Montgomerie said of his visit to Massachusetts General Hospital. “I had all these CAT scans and all this stuff. I had two hours to do it this morning and the staff of the hospital was superb.“
Doctors cleared him in time to get him back to the course for a 1:09 p.m. tee time despite a detour to get around a closed main road bridge.
“I blame the British for building the roads,” the 51-year-old Scotsman said. “Bloody awful.”
Between the pair, Montgomerie and Langer have now won five of the last six Senior Major’s on offer.
“But best of luck to Bernhard,” Montgomerie said. “One day it will stop — hopefully sooner than later. But he’s amazing, and all credit to him.”
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