Bernhard Langer’s proving age is just a number as the 67-year-old golf legend shot another remarkable round matching his age at the Charles Schwab Cup Championship in Phoenix.
The German star, who holds the PGA Tour Champions record with 46 career wins, fired a 4-under 67 on Saturday to grab the lead heading into the final round.
Name
Events
Top 10
Money
Bernhard Langer
326
63
$10,759,526
It’s the 22nd time he’s shot his age or better on tour. Pretty impressive for someone who’s been fighting back from a torn Achilles this year.
“I’ve got to continue to play aggressive,” Langer said, laying out his game plan for Sunday. “The key for me is making putts.”
This season hasn’t been easy for the veteran golfer. He tore his left Achilles playing pickleball in February – not exactly how he planned to start 2023.
What makes this weekend even more special? Langer hasn’t won a single tournament this year – the first time that’s happened in his Champions Tour career.
“It would mean a great deal because of what I’ve been through this year,” he said.
Defending champion Steven Alker isn’t making it easy though. He fired a sizzling 63 to sit just one shot behind Langer. Alker’s also closing in on the season-long race for the $1 million bonus.
“The whole goal was to defend the championship this week,” Alker said. “If I do that, then the Schwab Cup’s a bonus.”
Richard Green matched Alker’s 63 to grab third place at 11 under.
The tournament’s early leader, Stewart Cink, stumbled with a 75, dropping five shots off the pace.
The season finale at Phoenix Country Club features the top players from the year-long standings – though Steve Stricker, who’s never played a Champions postseason event, chose to skip it.
Langer, currently 22nd in the standings, could cap off a challenging year with something special on Sunday. After 18 straight years with at least one win, he’s got 18 holes left to keep the streak alive.
