Langer Nails Down 17th Champions Tour Title


Bernhard Langer eked out a 72 to complete a wire-to-wire win in the ACE Group Classic. The $1.6 million Champions Tour event was held at the Talons Course at Twin Eagles Golf Club in Naples, Fla.

The 55-year-old native of Germany opened with rounds of 10-under 62 and 70 to take a three-shot lead heading into Sunday. But Langer, who earned $240,000, had to overcome three bogeys and a double on the par-4 fourth hole by carding five birdies to reach even-par and finish at 12-under 204, one stroke ahead of Jay Don Blake (68).

"I'm certainly relieved now, having won" said Langer, who also won here in 2011 and was a runner-up last year to Kenny Perry. "It was definitely a grind. I was hoping to come down to the last hole with, whatever, a three-shot lead or something, make it easy."

Blake could have forced extra holes but his 18-foot birdie putt on the 18th just missed the cup.

Tied for third at 9-under 207 were John Cook (68) and Tom Pernice, Jr. (72), while another stroke back were David Frost (68) and last week's winner in the Allianz Championship, Rocco Mediate, who closed with a 69.

Wales' Mark Mouland (68), Jeff Freeman (71) and Mark O'Meara (73) tied for seventh at 209. Perry (69) joined Bill Glasson (70), John Huston (73) and Chien Soon Lu (75) in 10th at 210.

For complete scoring details, visit http://www.pgatour.com/champions/leaderboard.html.