Langer Up to Two in Toshiba Classic


Bernhard Langer followed up his opening 8-under 63 with a 66 Saturday to sustain his two-stroke lead heading into the final round of the Champions Tour's Toshiba Classic at Newport Beach Country Club in Southern California.

The German stands at 13-under 129 and in prime position to record his 20th victory on the over-50 circuit. The 56-year-old carded seven birdies and his only two birdies in 36 holes to keep the two-shot lead he had entering the second round.

"I had a couple of hiccups on the front nine," Langer said. "I felt I was playing OK. I told my caddie, 'Let's try and play a good back nine' and I did."

One of the weirdest shots of the day happened on the 15th hole, when Langer accidentally hit his son Jason in the gallery on his approach on the par-5. After that, he chipped onto the green and made the 10-foot birdie putt.

"I was told it hit him. But it was more like it bounced a few times and rolled up to him. He was OK," Langer said.

In second place at 11-under are reigning Charles Schwab Cup champion Kenny Perry and Taiwan's Chien Soon-Lu, who shot a 65 and 66, respectively. Perry knows that Langer is a notorious front-runner and he'll have to put pressure on the leader early in Sunday's final round.

"I have to get off to a hot start and make birdies," the Kentuckian told reporters. "I know he's going to be there at the end. I have to play my best when I go up against him. He doesn't make a mistake."

Three behind Langer in a tie for fourth at 10-under 132 are Mexico's Esteban Toledo (65) and Americans Scott Dunlap (64), Fred Couples (67) and Jeff Hart (67). Couples won the Toshiba Classic in 2010.

Australia's Peter Senior and 2014 Ryder Cup captain Tom Watson matched Langer's 63 for the low round of the tournament. Senior is tied for eighth at 9-under 133 while the 64-year-old Watson shares 12th another stroke down the leaderboard.

"When you are 64, it doesn't happen that much anymore," Watson said of his score. "I have been rolling in a lot of putts though."

Defending champion David Frost finally got rolling Saturday. The South African opened with a 72 but shot 67 Saturday.

For all the scores, visit http://www.pgatour.com/content/pgatour/champions/tournaments/toshiba-classic/leaderboard.html.