The full force of nature at Royal Porthcawl

But as Saturday unfolded, Langer once more conquered the Lock’s Common golf course with precision golf that mimicked three years earlier.

He too signed for 65 – and a minus five score of 208 (69, 74, 65).

Three others went around in 65 blows on the day - Magnus Atlevi (Sweden), Paul Streeter (England) and Frost, who had shot an opening day 81.

So, Langer had a four- shot lead going into Sunday, and there was a dawn call two-tee start of 7.30am for the first threeball.

The German was now odds on favourite to repeat the Royal Porthcawl success of 2014, and he set out at 9.40am.

Though he carded a bogey on the third hole, noone was seriously pushing him and it soon became another exhibition of ball control during boisterous conditions out on the golf course. Brief threats came and went via the American duo of Billy Andrade and Steve Flesch – and the ultimate turning point came on the par-three 15th hole.

Langer surprisingly missed a four-foot par putt, leaving the door ajar for Pavin to close the gap to just two shots.

But he saw a three-footer - also for par – turn left of the cup at the last moment – and the Jockey knew his race had been run.

Pavin birdied the home hole to wrap up second spot while Langer overcooked his second shot into the 18th green.

But a good lie led to Langer getting a birdie to finish with a four-under par score of 280 via rounds of 69, 74, 65 and 72.

Pavin finished with a minus one score of 283 (73, 74, 65, 67), and there was a three-way tie for third place on par 284 from Aussie Peter Lonard along with the American duo of Andrade and Fred Couples.

Top Welsh finisher was ex-Ryder Cup star Phil Price from Pontypridd, who was tied sixth on plus one 285 together with Miguel Angel Martin (Spain) and Magnus Atlevi (Sweden).

Langer will now defend the title next year at the Home of Golf at St Andrews.