STEVENS POINT, Wis. — Bernhard Langer has been capable of keep away from many of the bother at SentryWorld within the U.S. Senior Open. He nonetheless was removed from unscathed Friday in a 3-under 68 that gave him the second-round lead.
“Consider it or not, I had two three-putts and successful a sand wedge from the center of the golf green into the water hazard, which is painful when you consider that from 100 yards,” the 65-year-old German star stated after his morning spherical.
Langer had six birdies and three bogeys a day after having a birdie and a bogey in a gap 71. On Friday, he hit 12 of 14 fairways on the Robert Trent Jones Jr.-designed course with thick tough and difficult, inconsistent greens. At 3-under 139, he was one in all solely 5 gamers below par.
“The course is hard, but it surely’s honest, and it is an awesome setup,” Langer stated. “I am lucky to be enjoying effectively and stay up for the weekend.”
The 2010 U.S. Senior Open winner at Sahalee in Washington, Langer gained the Chubb Traditional in Florida in February to tie Hale Irwin for the PGA Champions Tour’s profession victory document of 45.
First-round chief Rod Pampling was a stroke again, following a gap 68 with a 72. The 53-year-old Australian had a birdie and two bogeys within the afternoon session.
“The putter did not cooperate in addition to it did yesterday,” Pampling stated. “Nothing to emphasize about.”
Dwelling-state favourite Jerry Kelly (70) was 1 below with two-time U.S. Open champion Retief Goosen (71) and Dicky Pleasure (69).
“Greens have been — I could not actually inform,” Kelly stated. “Some quick putts weren’t quick. Some gradual putts have been quick.”
Goosen performed alongside Langer.
“It performed simply the identical as yesterday,” Goosen stated. “Very difficult, robust. Miss the golf green, you pray for a half-decent lie.”
Kelly and 2019 champion Steve Stricker — each from Madison, about 100 miles to the south — will play collectively Saturday. Stricker shot a 70 to affix two-time U.S. Open champion Ernie Els (71) at even par.
Sticker gained the primary two senior majors of the yr and took the Madison occasion three weeks in the past for his fourth victory of the season.
“I am proper in there,” Stricker stated. “The scores aren’t going wherever. It is very difficult. It is very robust. For those who do not hit the golf green, you are scrambling.”
Sacrificing distance for accuracy, Langer often hit 3-wood as an alternative of driver.
“I am not the longest man out right here, however I nonetheless really feel many occasions the 3-wood is a greater membership for me off the tee,” Langer stated.
“Clearly, there’s the tough, however there’s a whole lot of water in play. Then you have got the greens which can be fairly extreme at occasions, too. 4 or 5 of them are actually agency.”
Allen Doyle is the oldest winner in occasion historical past, taking the 2006 title at SentryWorld at 57 years, 11 months, 14 days.
“I will take two extra 68s and let the remainder of the sector have a shot at it,” Langer stated.
