German Bernhard Langer shot 3-under-par 68 to extend his lead after three rounds of the U.S. Senior Open on Saturday at SentryWorld in Stevens Point, Wis.
Langer sits at 6-under 207 for the tournament, two shots ahead of Jerry Kelly, who also carded a 68. Langer held a one-shot lead after 36 holes.
Steve Stricker (68) is alone in third at 3 under, while Y.E. Yang of South Korea (69) and South African Retief Goosen (71) are five shots off the lead at T4. Rod Pampling, who was in second after Friday’s round, shot 79 and dropped to 6 over for the tourney.
Rob Labritz carded a 66 to jump 18 spots up the leaderboard into a tie with Germany’s Alex Cejka (68) in sixth at even par.
Langer came out of the gates birdie-birdie before recording a bogey on No. 4. It was his only blemish of the day. He birdied No. 5 before ending his round with a birdie on the par-4 18th.
“I felt really good. Got off to a dream start,” Langer said. “My first five shots were as good as I can hit them, plus two really good putts.
“Played really solid. Got a little shaky there in the middle and had to save a few pars. I think the greens slowed up a little bit somewhere along the line.”
Langer is seeking his 46th career victory on the Champions Tour. He is currently tied with Hale Irwin for most titles.
Kelly posted four birdies against two bogeys for his round.
“You know he’s going to be tough. He’s smelling 46 right now,” Kelly said of trying to chase down Langer. “I think he’s going to come on strong. I don’t see him letting up.
“I think there’s a score out there. If you can get to that front side and just keep going on the back, I think it’s there,” Kelly added. “But the front side is tough to get under par. It really is. Just see if I can turn at under and try to step on the gas a little bit.”
Stricker was playing 4-under for his round until he ran into bogeys at Nos. 13 and 15. But he carded a birdie on the 18th.
“It was an opportunity to have a really special round today,” Stricker said. “But overall really solid.”
–Field Level Media
