Major duel for Singh, Langer

Leaders set match of power vs. savvy for Senior PGA title.

For Bernhard Langer, winning the Senior PGA Championship after several close calls would cap off a decade of dominance on the over-50 circuit. Vijay Singh is playing the event for the first time in his fifth year of eligibility and still wants to compete on the PGA Tour.

Singh used his power to move ahead of Langer on Saturday at rain-softened Trump National, but Langer used his guile to stay close, setting up a duel for the title between the Hall of Famers.

The 54-year-old Singh made three more birdies on par 5s to shoot a 4-under 67 at President Donald Trump’s course on the shores of the Potomac River. He had a 15-under 201 total, playing the par 5s in 10 under.

“He played phenomenal,” Langer said. “It was fun to watch some of the shots that he hit.”

The 59-year-old Langer shot 70, ending a run of seven straight rounds in the 60s, and was one shot back. He’s seeking his ninth senior major, which would break Jack Nicklaus’ record. He tied Nicklaus last week with a final-round 64 to win the Regions Tradition by five shots. The Senior PGA is the only senior major he hasn’t won.

“I’ve had some tremendous rounds on Sundays, this year especially. My lowest rounds came on Sundays this year. So that’s encouraging,” Langer said.

Singh, who’s averaging 291 yards off the tee to lead the field in driving distance, routinely outdrove Langer by 30 yards and hit his approach shots closer. His putter kept him from pulling further away. He missed three birdie putts inside 10 feet and a par putt inside 3 feet.

Billy Andrade made three birdies on the back nine to shoot 69 and was three shots back. Bob Estes (67) was alone in fourth, five back.

European Tour: Andrew Dodt of Australia will take a one-stroke lead into the final day of the BMW PGA Championship after shooting a 4-under 68 in the third round at Virginia Water, England.

South Africa’s Branden Grace is a shot behind Dodt, a two-time winner on the European Tour, after a 70.

LPGA Tour: Shanshan Feng shot a 6-under 66 to take a one-stroke lead after three rounds of the LPGA Volvik Championship at Ann Arbor, Mich. Feng is 15 under after a bogey-free round. Lizette Salas (67) is second, one shot ahead of Suzann Pettersen (69).