STEVENS POINT – Bernhard Langer wasted no time in dampening the spirits of a Wisconsin crowd that was ready to explode behind home-state favorites Jerry Kelly and Steve Stricker at the US Senior Open at SentryWorld on Sunday.
Two early birdies helped set Langer on his way to capture his PGA Tour Champions-record 46th tournament at 7-under par for the championship, capped by a 1-under 70 Sunday afternoon. It is his second US Senior Open title and 12thth career senior major.
The 65-year-old Langer drained birdies on his first two holes to extend his third-round lead and stifled any chances of a charge from Kelly and Stricker. Langer then effectively won the championship with an up-and-down for birdie out of the water hazard on his fifth hole, as he not only avoided a big number but added to his lead.
Langer got to 10-under for the championship after 10 holes, and from there no one could chase him down even as he bogeyed his last three.
Stricker finished in second place at 5-under for the championship and 2-under for the day. He closed with four birdies on the back nine. Kelly finished third at 4-under for the championship with an even-par final round of 71.
The top five was rounded out by Brett Quigley and Rob Labritz, who each finished at 2-under for the championship in a tie for fourth. Steven Alker posted the round of the day, making six birdies to shoot at 66 and finish his championship at 1-under and in a tie for sixth with Dicky Pride and Retief Goosen.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Langer outlasts Stricker and Kelly to win 2023 US Senior Open