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Bernhard Langer, the 67-year-old German star
who has a Champions-record 46 career victories, was second after
a 64. He shot his age or better for the 21st time on the tour.
“Every once in a while I look back at my career and have to
almost pinch myself and say, `Man, that’s pretty amazing what
you’ve done the last whatever so many years,′" Langer said.
"Like a day today, to shoot 64 — 3 under my age — not a whole
lot of people can do that.”
The 51-year-old Cink had a 12-under 130 total at Phoenix Country
Club, shooting a 64 of his own in the first round. The Ally
Challenge winner in August in Michigan for his first senior
title, Cink entered the week 12th in the season standings.
“It was actually probably a cleaner round than yesterday as far
as just my processes and the quality of the shots was probably a
little bit better overall.” Cink said. “I just didn’t have the
hot long putts going in today quite as much, but it was a really
solid round. I would love to play golf like that every day.”
Langer birdied five of the first seven holes and closed strong
with birdies on 17 and 18. He's trying to win at least one event
for the 18th consecutive year.
“It’s fun to make some putts, that’s what the game is all
about,” Langer said. “If you want to score low, you’ve got to
make some putts.”
Alex Cejka was third at 7 under after a 66.
Defending champion Steven Alker, second behind Ernie Els in the
season standings, was tied for fourth at 4 under after a 68 —
putting himself in position to pass Els for the $1 million
bonus.
Vijay Singh (65), Miguel Angel Jimenez (68), Jerry Kelly (70)
and Cameron Percy (68) also were 4 under.
Els was 3 under after a 70.
Stephen Ames, third in the standings, was 2 under after a 72.
The top 36 players on the points list qualified for the event,
with Steve Stricker the lone qualifier not in the field. He has
never played a postseason tournament on the PGA Tour Champions.
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