Langer tames tricky Wentworth

Bernhard Langer produced what he described as one of his best efforts at Wentworth in swirling winds to take the first round lead in the British PGA championship on Friday.

The German, title-winner in 1987, 1993 and 1995, finished in style with an eagle at the last after hitting a superb three-iron approach to just three feet.

His seven-under-par 65 over the tree-lined 7,006 yards West Course gave him a two-shot advantage over seven other players.

Langer, who also had five birdies in his flawless round, was thrilled with his performance on a tricky day.

"That's certainly one of the best rounds I've played here, especially given the conditions today. With the strong winds, the firm greens and some difficult pin positions, it wasn't easy out there. That's definitely one of my best rounds of the year," Langer said.

Bunched on 67 were South Africa's Retief Goosen, Northern Ireland's Darren Clarke, Spain's Jose Rivero and Pedro Linhart, European Ryder Cup captain Mark James, Frenchman Jean Van de Velde and England's Derrick Cooper, contesting his 20th PGA championship on the day his wife was moving home on her own.

Goosen, winner of the French Open three weeks ago, moved into outright second spot at six-under after 14 holes. But at 18 he pushed his second shot right into the trees to run up a bogey-six and dropped back.

Twice U.S. Open winner Ernie Els moved ominously into contention with a 68, despite being a little distracted by his two-day-old daughter Samantha.

"My mind did stray a bit today, as I proved at the seventh when I missed a putt of a foot. That's just natural, though, and we are all very excited after the birth. I still played nicely today," Els said.

Defending champion Colin Montgomerie, U.S. Masters holder Jose Maria Olazabal and world number six Lee Westwood all carded 69s to share 14th spot.

Langer reached the turn in 33 after birdies at the fourth and fifth. His second birdie came after holing a bunker shot from 35 feet and he said that effectively launched his round.

"It wasn't an easy bunker shot but it hit the flag and went in. Otherwise, it would have gone about four yards past."

Both Langer and Clarke birdied 11, 12 and 14 but the German made sure of his two-shot advantage with his superb shot at the par-five 18th.

"I was really pleased with that three-iron. I had about 218 yards to the front (of the green) and I hit it as pure as I can. It came right out of the sweet spot with a slight fade, to hold it against the wind, and it got a favourable bounce on top of that. It was a great way to finish the round."

Langer, currently eighth in the Ryder Cup rankings, said his 65 could provide the ideal platform to clinch his place in the team for Brookline in September.

"I'm still borderline to get in but a good finish here will consolidate my position. A few more high finishes might then do it but we still have a long way to go before the end of August."

Clarke, joint seventh in the European Tournament Players' championship in Germany last weekend, was happy to be in early contention.

"I feel I'm back now. I'm hitting the ball pretty solid and holed a couple of putts round the back nine. I'm looking forward to getting myself into contention regularly

Reuters