Langer has senior title in his grasp

BERNHARD LANGER shot a superb six-under 65 at Royal Porthcawl to take a four-shot lead in the British Senior Open.

The 59-year-old German is now in prime position for his fifth victory in the last 10 major championships after his bogey-free round.

He is on a five-under-par total of 208, with American Corey Pavin his nearest challenger on one under after he tamed the afternoon rain and wind to also shoot 65.

Australian Peter Lonard (67) is third on level par, while Miguel Angel Jimenez (65), Steve Flesch (71) and Billy Mayfair (71) were one over in joint fourth.

Colin Montgomerie went round in 70 to lie four over.

Langer has a record nine senior major titles.

He won by 13 strokes the last time the tournament was held on the south Wales course, finishing at 18 under in 2014, and also won the 2010 event at Carnoustie.