Langer puts injury problems behind him

Bernhard Langer, who was close to pulling out of the championship with a back injury earlier in the week, moved into contention for the 130th British Open on Saturday after carding a third-round 67.

The German, forced to withdraw from the Scottish Open at the halfway stage last weekend with a back problem, reeled off six birdies and two bogeys to finish the day at six-under 207.

His four-under-par round matched the 67 posted by his Welsh playing partner Ian Woosnam, who also ended up on 207.

"It feels great to be in contention in the tournament I've always wanted to win," said Langer. The 43-year-old has finished second twice and third three times in the British Open.

"It's a great feeling the reception you get walking on to every green. The spectators here know their golf and they cheer for every player, no matter where they are from.

"It's always a pleasure playing with Ian and we were both close to our best today."

Langer began the day at two under after opening scores of 71 and 69. Although he offset a birdie-two at the first with a bogey-five third, he sparked his round with four birdies in six holes around the turn.

Another birdie followed at the 14th, where he hit a five iron to 18 feet, to get him to seven under overall.

But he dropped his second shot of the day at the last when he found a fairway bunker on the right with a two iron off the tee.

After chipping out on to the fairway, he rifled a seven iron to eight feet but missed the putt for par to slip back to six under.

The twice Masters champion injured his back during last week's Scottish Open as he bent over a rubbish bin in his flat and was rated as a doubtful starter for the Royal Lytham.

He was unable to play a practice round at the links course on Monday but was determined not to end his unbroken run of 21 British Open appearances since he failed to qualify for the 1979 British Open at Lytham.

"My back's still not 100 percent," Langer said. "I've been having treatment on it every day but it's good enough to play and hopefully in a couple of days it will be back to normal."

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