Langer in a tie for the lead at halfway

FORMER Ryder Cup Captains Bernhard Langer and Tom Lehman set the pace at the halfway stage of the Senior Open Championship Presented by Rolex, each finishing their second rounds on one over par at Royal Porthcawl.

Lehman carded a one over par round of 72, birdieing the last to join Langer in a share of the clubhouse lead just moments after the nine-time Senior Major winner also made a gain on the 18th to sign for a three over par round of 74.

“I was hitting it solid, that’s the big thing,” said Lehman. “I was hitting it in the middle of the club face most of the time and able to control the ball. I think the first eight holes were horrific, playing in the worst conditions ever, I think.

“To get off the front nine level par, it was one of the better nine holes I’ve ever played.”

Langer, winner of the Senior Open at Royal Porthcawl in 2014, started his round with two consecutive bogeys, making the turn three over par. He then bogeyed the 14th but birdied the last as he battled with strong winds and driving rain throughout most of his round.

“It was actually much harder this morning,” said Langer. “I hit driver, three wood on the first and I couldn’t even reach the green, and three putted. I didn’t hit a bad shot the first four holes and I was two over par after the first three; it was that hard.

“I don’t think I’ll be too far away, but you never know. I could see where the leading score could be around even par, so I’m right in the mix of things. There’s a lot of golf to be played.”

Lehman’s fellow Americans Steve Flesch and Billy Mayfair and Argentina’s Mauricio Molina are also on oneover and in a five-way tie at the top.

Phillip Price is the best of the Welsh contingent, a 73 yesterday leaving him in a large group on five over which also includes Colin Montgomerie. Mark Mouland and Ian Woosnam finished on seven over par and will see the weekend action while Stephen Dodd finished at 13 over.