(Reuters) - Defending champion Bernhard Langer of Germany birdied four of his last five holes to charge into a two-stroke lead in the opening round of the Senior Players Championship on Thursday in Belmont, Massachusetts.
Langer picked up shots at the 14th, 15th, 17th and the par-four last to fire a six-under 65 in tricky, blustery conditions at Belmont Country Club.
That left the 57-year-old two ahead of Americans Rocco Mediate, Lee Janzen and Guy Boros in the third of the season's five major championships for senior golfers.
Scotland's Colin Montgomerie, who retained his Senior PGA Championship crown at the French Lick Resort last month, opened with a 68 to end the round level with American Gene Sauers.