Record-breaking Bernhard Langer takes victory at the Champions Tour Ace Group Classic in Florida
The Champions Tour Ace Group Classic concluded at The Quarry Golf Course in Florida on Sunday with the German Bernhard Langer taking the victory. Langer shot a remarkable six-under par 66 on the final day with a total three days aggregate score of 196, which
has set the tournament record.
The veteran Langer started the day as the leader and kept his cool to curb the challenge put down by the American Fred Funk. The 53-year-old Langer won the Championship with a margin of four shots over Funk. At a point, Funk was just two-strokes behind the
leader as Langer made two birdies in his finishing holes to lift the title.
Funk finished his tournament with a round of 6-under par 66 and a total aggregate score of 16-under par 200. He had four birdies and an eagle during his round. Langer played flawless golf throughout the day and showed his class on the field.
The seasoned campaigner Nick Price of Zimbabwe and American Russ Cochran were tied for third position with a total aggregate score of 201. Price finished the final day with a score of six-under par 66. He had seven birdies during his round and a lone bogey
on the par-4 8th.
Cochran who was tied at top of the leader board with Langer after the first round, had to be content at the fifth spot tied with Price. He managed a commendable five-under par 67 but it was not enough to lift the title. In his interview Cochran said, “Overall
it was kind of a crazy day for me."
Langer has had the title of Player of the Year at the Champions Tour three-times and won his first tournament of the season. He did not have many good results in the opening tournaments of Champions Tour this year.
The German has not been pleased with the way he played the opening two tournaments and changed his driver and putter. He practiced hard in the past weeks and worked on his swing with his coach Willie Hoffman. Langer’s swing was in complete momentum throughout
the tournament, proving fortunate for him. It was clearly seen on the course that Langer was in great shape for a victory, as his crisp iron shots and excellent putting strokes were unmatched.
This was the 10th time in 11 tournaments for the veteran Langer that he has gone on to win a tournament after sharing the first round’s lead. He last won the Boeing Classic in August 2010 over Nick Price by 3 strokes. He is also a two time winner
at the Masters in 1985 and 1993.
The defending champion Fred Couples missed the tournament and was playing in the Northern Trust Open. Langer has also gained 240 Charles Schwab Cup points this week. Tom Lehman leads the table with 454 points and did not play the tournament.
Langer has shown great skill and competitiveness throughout the weekend. It will be interesting to see how Langer carries his winning momentum into the next challenges that he faces.
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