Langer Secures 20th Win on Senior Circuit


Entering Sunday with a three-stroke edge over the field, Bernhard Langer had just enough left in his 56-year-old tank to finish with a 1-under 71, beat Fred Couples by a stroke and win the Insperity Invitational.

The $2 million, 54-hole Champions Tour event was held at The Woodlands Country Club in The Woodlands, Texas.

Early on Sunday Langer separated himself further from the field after carding four birdies through seven holes. But from that point forward things got dicey for the German, as the World Golf Hall of Fame member couldn't muster but all pars and three bogeys - including two on the par-3 16th and par-4 18th holes - the rest of the way.

But by then, Langer had just enough of a lead to nip Couples, who closed with a 67, to finish at 11-under 205, a mere stroke ahead of Couples, who won the tournament in 2010.

The victory, his third in the event (the first two came when it was held at Augusta Pines in 2007-08) and second this season, was the 20th for Langer on the over-50 circuit.

He moved into a tie for eighth with Jim Colbert and Bruce Crampton for the most titles on the Champions Tour. The all-time record of 45 wins is owned by Hale Irwin, who is 16 victories ahead of second-place Lee Trevino's total of 29.

Langer believes he'll have more future successes. "I'm hoping to add to that number," he told reporters. "I hope I'm not done yet. I'm very blessed to have won 20 times in six and a half years. It's been a great run and a wonderful achievement. I just feel like I'm playing some of my best golf in my career."

Couples was pleased with his final-round charge. "On a golf course as hard as this, you can't really play relaxed golf," the Seattle native said. "You have to pay attention to what you're doing. I didn't hit enough good shots to shoot a lot lower to catch Bernhard, although I got close to him."

Scotland's Colin Montgomerie was in good shape for his first triumph on the Champions Tour. After starting Sunday three shots behind Langer, Montgomerie - like Langer and Couples a Hall of Fame inductee - closed with a 70 to take solo third at 9-under 207.

Montgomerie feels like he's getting closer to his maiden victory. "If you're second, third to Couples and Langer, you're doing OK," the Scotsman noted.

Finishing four behind Langer was defending champion Esteban Toledo (71), while five back were Jay Haas (70) and Tom Pernice Jr. (71).

Tied for seventh at 211 were Russ Cochran and Bart Bryant, who shot 70 and 73, respectively. Sharing ninth at 212 were Tom Byrum (68), Jeff Maggert (71), Rod Spittle (71) and Fred Funk (73).

For all the scores, visit http://www.pgatour.com/champions/leaderboard.html.