Langer Takes Over Lead in Montreal Championship


Bernhard Langer fired a 5-under 67 to take a three-stroke lead in the Montreal Championship. The $1.6 million, 54-hole Champions Tour event began Friday at Vallee du Richelieu Rouville in Sainte-Julie, Quebec.

After opening with a 71, the 56-year-old German carded five birdies Saturday to reach 6-under 138, three shots ahead of Americans Willie Wood (68), Bill Glasson (69) and Kenny Perry (71), Taiwan's Chien Soon Lu (68) and Sweden's Anders Forsbrand (69).

Perry leads the season-long Charles Schwab Cup standings with 2,619 points, while Langer is in second at 1,830.

Tied for seventh at 143 are Americans Duffy Waldorf (70 and Michael Allen (68), and Mexico's Esteban Toledo (69).

Sharing 10th at 143 are Americans Duffy Waldorf (70), Rocco Mediate (68), Jim Gallagher Jr. (69), Gary Hallberg (70), Jim Carter (71) and Tom Pernice Jr. (72), Australia's Peter Senior (71) and South Africa's David Frost (72).

Mediate was the runaway winner in last week's inaugural Shaw Charity Classic at Canyon Meadows Golf & Country Club in Calgary.

Dick Mast, who held the 18-hole lead with an opening 69, dropped down the leaderboard into a share of 17th at 144 after a 75. Also at that number - among others - are Kirk Triplett and Olin Browne, who matched Langer's 67 for the low round of the day, with Rod Spittle the top Canadian in Montreal after two straight 72s.

Defending champion Mark Calcavecchia has posted rounds of 74 and 72 and is now tied for 34th at 146 heading into Sunday's final round.

Ken Green, playing in his first individual tour event of the year, followed up his opening 73 with a 72 and is seven shots behind Langer. The 55-year-old Green - a five-time winner on the PGA Tour who wears a prosthetic device on his lower right leg - carded three birdies and like number of bogeys Saturday.

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