Langer lets experience tell

Evergreen German moves within one shot of lead

By Simon Dilger   Last updated: 10th May 2008

Bernhard Langer

Langer: Experience

I hit the ball well and putted well, did everything right. It was probably the best start to any tournament I've played in my career.

Bernhard Langer
Quotes of the week

Leaderboard
-6 K Perry (US)
-5 B Langer (Ger)
-5 P Goydos (US)
-5 S Garcia (Spn)

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Bernhard Langer shot a magnificent five-under-par 67 in the second round of the Players Championship at Sawgrass on Friday.

Battling against strong winds and injury, the 50-year-old veteran used his huge experience to move to within one stroke of American leader Kenny Perry at the halfway stage.

Players Championship collated

Langer, who contemplated withdrawing from the tournament on Wednesday, now sits in joint second place with after posting a five-under 139 total.

"It was awesome. I hit the ball really well, had lots of opportunities," said Langer.

"My back's been sore, my knee, my shoulder. The physios have been a great help, otherwise I probably wouldn't be able to play."

Langer, a two-time runner up in 1993 and 1995, raced out of the blocks, collecting an eagle and four birdies in the first eight holes.

The German finished the round with a massive 60-foot birdie at the famous par-three 17th before dropping a shot at the last.

"I was six-under after eight (holes), playing close to perfection," he said.

"I hit the ball well and putted well, did everything right. It was probably the best start to any tournament I've played in my career."

British woe

A weak British challenge was led by Ian Poulter, who posted a one-under 143.

Luke Donald meanwhile did not make life easy for himself with an opening 75 before fighting back with a rollercoaster 72 to post a three-over 147 total.

"Yesterday was definitely worse than today," said Donald. "I only hit four fairways and seven greens (in regulation) yesterday.

"Today I hit a lot more greens but I'm still making too many mistakes. I'm working really hard and waiting for something to click, but still struggling a bit.

"It's about getting a couple of good rounds, boosting your confidence, because I know I'm working on the right things.

"Technically, my swing is getting better. It's not resulting in better results but it's going to come soon."

In Richard Johnson (six-over), Lee Westwood (seven-over), Justin Rose (seven-over) and Paul Casey (nine-over) however, four of the seven British players are on their way home

After starting the day in a good position Westwood slumped to 78, while Rose continued his recent poor form.