BERNHARD LANGER is so hobbled with injuries that he barely made it to the starting line at the Players Championship.
But the German is certainly glad that he did, after shooting a simply magnificent five-under-par 67 in the second round.
His score, the day's best in brutal winds at Sawgrass, lifted him into a tie for second place at five-under 139, one stroke be
hind American leader Kenny Perry.
"I was a mess and contemplating withdrawing from the tournament Wednesday evening," said Langer, who at 50 is the second oldest player in the field. I thought if I can get through (the first round) I might improve every day, and that's exactly what happened, so I'm thrilled."
A two-time runner-up in the flagship event on the United States PGA Tour, Langer made his move early with four birdies and an eagle in the first eight holes.
He could not maintain such a torrid pace, bogeying number nine and negotiating the back nine in only even par, but a birdie at the famous par-three 17th was the highlight of his day.
Ian Poulter headed an otherwise disappointing UK contingent, five strokes off the pace, while Luke Donald was the only other Brit to make the cut, nine shots off the pace. There are no Scots in the field.
The full article contains 227 words and appears in Edinburgh Evening News newspaper.
