Langer Wins Champions Tour's Season Opener


Bernhard Langer didn't waste time getting his 2014 campaign off to a fast start. The 56-year-old German recorded his 19th title on the Champions Tour when he won the over-50 circuit's season opener, the Mitsubishi Electric Championship, at Hualalai Golf Club in Kona, Hawaii.

Langer fired his second straight 8-under 64 over the weekend to finish the 54-hole tournament at 22-under 194. On both Saturday and Sunday, he carded eight birdies; in the final round he made six of them on the back nine - including five in a row on hole Nos. 13-17 - to win by three strokes over Jeff Sluman (65) and Fred Couples (67).

Over three rounds Langer put up 21 birdies, an eagle and a lone bogey in what began as a three-man race on Sunday into a runaway victory. "It's a new year and my goal was to get over the hurdle and win as soon as possible," said Langer, who won the same tournament five years ago and has gone 41-under par in his last seven rounds at Hualalai.

"I'm very pleased and extremely blessed to play golf like this. To be 22-under doesn't happen very often."

Langer, Couples and Sluman were tied on the 13th hole. But Langer's back-nine birdie run vaulted him to the winner's circle and a payday worth $307,000.

Jay Haas shot 65 to finish in fourth at 199, while another stroke back was first-round leader Rocco Mediate.

Defending champion John Cook posted rounds of 69, 71 and 68 to tie for 19th at 208.

For all the scores, visit http://www.pgatour.com/champions/tournaments/mitsubishi-electric-championship-at-hualalai/leaderboard.html.