Bernhard Langer, Davis Love III make weekend at Masters

Bernhard Langer and Davis Love III are the two low PGA Tour Champions members on the Masters leaderboard, but don’t think for a second they’re content with a ceremonial stroll on Augusta National’s fairways this weekend.

Langer, the 58-year-old two-time Masters champion, shot 73 on Friday and is tied for 15th at 1-over-par 145, five shots behind leader Jordan Spieth. Love, who will turn 52 next week, matched that 73 and is tied for 23rd at 2-over.

Although players young enough to be their sons were struggling to stay under 80 on a windy day, Langer and Love put on clinics in course management to stay within hailing distance of the lead.

Love is tied for seventh in the field in hitting fairways (23 of 28), and Langer is tied for 10th in greens in regulation (25 of 36).

“Pars are very good scores on many of the holes, just because we had very difficult pin positions and a lot of wind,” said Langer, who has 42 European PGA Tour victories and 26 PGA Tour Champions victories. “You can play on a links course where there’s no trees and it’s consistent wind. But here, nothing is consistent.”

Love had a run of three birdies in a row on Nos. 3, 4 and 5. He had two good chances late in the round, missing a 19-footer for birdie at No. 17 and a 4-footer at No. 18 that he said was blown to the right edge of the cup by the wind.

“The Masters is one of those places that inspires you,” Love said. “I’ve been making cuts but not getting real good results. I’m thrilled. I’m thrilled to be here two more days. It’s a lot of fun.”

The only other PGA Champions member to make the cut this year was Augusta native Larry Mize, who played his last six holes at 1-under to finish with 73 and is at 5-over.