Langer closing in on record victory
Bernhard Langer remained in position Saturday in the Hoag Classic to break a tie with Hale Irwin for the PGA Tour Champions victory record.
Langer played the final five holes at Newport Beach Country Club in five under — going birdie-eagle-par-birdie-birdie — for a five-under 66 and one-stroke lead with a round left. The 65-year-old German star tied Irwin at 45 victories a month ago.
“Just really played well, gave myself lots of opportunities,” Langer said. “And like the eagle, as good as three shots as I can possibly pull off.”
Langer opened with a 64 on Friday for a share of the first-round lead with Miguel Angel Jimenez and Chris DiMarco. Jimenez shot a 67 on Saturday to fall a stroke back with Doug Barron (66).
Langer won at the course in 2008. On Saturday, he offset three birdies with three bogeys on the first 13 holes. He pitched in for birdie on the par-three eighth.
“The chip-in on eight, or the pitch-in, it was a miracle,” he said. “You give me 10,000 balls, I wouldn’t make another one, I think. It was one of those kind of shots. The eagle was huge as well.”
Fred Couples was two strokes back with Brian Gay.
Elsewhere
Adam Schenk shot a oneunder 70 at the Valspar Championship in Palm Harbor, Fla., giving him a oneshot lead over Jordan Spieth and Tommy Fleetwood as he goes after his first victory on the PGA Tour . ... Marc Leishman opened with an eagle en route to a five-under 66, giving him a two-shot lead over Sergio Garcia going into the third and final round of LIV Golf Tucson in Arizona.