Ryder Cup 2014: Momentum grows for Bernhard Langer wildcard pick
Last Updated: 29/07/14 1:10pm
Tom Watson and Tony Jacklin have called for Bernhard Langer to be considered for Ryder Cup selection after his superb display in the Senior British Open at the weekend.
The 56-year-old German strolled to a 13-stroke victory at Royal Porthcawl in south Wales.
If Langer is picked by European captain Paul McGinley for the match at Gleneagles in September he would become the oldest player in the history of the competition. American Ray Floyd was 51 when he played in 1993.
The way he is hitting it just now Gleneagles is a course that could be played by Bernhard.
Tom Watson
American Ryder Cup skipper Watson - who finished 10th behind Langer - said: "I'd certainly be saying to Paul that this guy is playing so well he might be worth a pick.
"The way he is hitting it just now Gleneagles is a course that could be played by Bernhard."
Former European Ryder Cup captain Montgomerie, who finished a distant second on Sunday, said even Open champion Rory McIlroy would have found it tough to keep up with Langer at Porthcawl.
"Bernhard Langer's performance is one of the golfing performances of all time," said the Scot.
Langer himself added: "We've been talking about it for a number of years now because I've been playing some really good golf the last six or seven years.
"It's up to the captain. I certainly feel my golf is worthy of playing in the Ryder Cup."
Jacklin, Europe's most successful captain of all time, said Langer deserves consideration for one of the three wildcard picks.
"Bernhard's a great team man... and I'd be thinking very seriously indeed if I was Paul McGinley because even if the young guys had been here they wouldn't have beaten his score," said Jacklin. "It was a fantastic performance from him."
