Langer Maintains Edge in ACE Group Classic


Bernhard Langer followed up his 10-under 62 with a 70 to maintain his three-stroke lead in the 54-hole ACE Group Classic. The $1.6 million Champions Tour event is taking place at the Talons Course at Twin Eagles Golf Club in Naples, Fla.

After carding eight birdies and an eagle on Friday, the 55-year-old German could only muster two birdies and 16 pars in the second round to reach 12-under 132.

The reason for the big difference in scoring over the first two days is that the wind picked up after the leaders teed off, with gusts upwards of 30 mph strafing the course in the afternoon.

Chasing Langer in second are Chien Soon Lu (68) and Tom Pernice Jr. (69). Four strokes behind is Mark O'Meara (69), while sharing fifth at 137 are Mark Wiebe (70), Jay Don Blake (71) and John Huston (71).

Gene Sauers (67), Jeff Freeman (70) and Fred Funk (71) share eighth at 6-under 138, and another stroke down the leaderboard in 11th are John Cook (68), the winner in last week's Allianz Championship - Rocco Mediate (67), and Steve Elkington (70).

Sauers and Mediate posted Saturday's low rounds with their 5-under efforts.

Defending champion Kenny Perry, who won the 2012 event by five strokes, posted a 73 to fall into a tie for 17th at 141.

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