Golf

Langer's career has begun evolution

Bernhard Langer is in transition, not quite old enough for the Champions Tour but knowing his best days on the regular PGA Tour are behind him.

By BOB HARIG
Published March 6, 2007

PALM HARBOR - Bernhard Langer is in transition, not quite old enough for the Champions Tour but knowing his best days on the regular PGA Tour are behind him.

Langer, 49, is in just his third PGA Tour event of the season, having lost his full exemption last year after finishing 138th on the money list. Although he was given a sponsor's exemption to this week's PODS Championship at Innisbrook, it no longer was necessary when he finished tied for 10th at the Honda Classic on Sunday.

Any player who finishes in the top 10 of an event and is not otherwise eligible gets a spot in the next week's tournament.

"I'm pretty much committed to play the Champions Tour unless something drastic happens," said Langer, a two-time Masters winner from Germany who turns 50 on Aug. 27. "I've been out here 30 years playing the regular tours, and I'm looking forward to the Champions Tour. I think it will be fun to play three-day tournaments; to sometimes fly home on Sunday night and come out Wednesday or even Thursday, if possible.

"It will also be fun to play with the guys I've known all my life, the Nick Prices, Mark O'Mearas, Fred Funks, Loren Robertses ... the guys I've known for a very long time, the guys I can relate to. And last but not least, we're going to play a little bit shorter golf courses, which hopefully will suit me, too.

QUALIFIERS: Former U.S. Amateur champion David Gossett was among four players to earn a spot in the field by shooting 4-under 67 at Fox Hollow Golf Club in New Port Richey. He shared medalist honors with James Driscoll. The others to get in were Ryan Howison and Andrew Johnson with 68s.

COMINGS AND GOINGS: Two players withdrew Monday. Jose Coceres, who has lost in playoffs the past two weeks, including the Honda Classic on Monday, was replaced by Parker McLachlin. J.L. Lewis was replaced by Jason Dufner. ... In Monday's pro-am on the Copperhead course, the team led by Kenny Perry won with 9-under 62. His amateur partners were Lightning president Ron Campbell, Rusty McClelland and Rick Gellegos.

Bob Harig can be reached at harig@sptimes.com or 727 893-8806.

[Last modified March 6, 2007, 01:03:52]