After finishing higher than half the field at the Masters against younger competitors, Bernhard Langer is ready to play with golfers his own age. The 60 year old is the favorite at this week’s Champions Tour Mitsubishi Electric Classic at TPC Sugarloaf in Duluth, GA.
Langer is listed at 7/1 at the Westgate Las Vegas SuperBook. David Toms is also 7/1. Vijay Singh, who also was at Augusta, is next at 8/1.
In last week’s major championship Langer tied with Fred Couples for low Champions Tour player at 38th. He had rounds of 74, 74, 71, and 72. Not bad considering he was playing with golfers half his age and younger. Couples had rounds of 72, 74, 73, and 72. He is not playing this week.
Singh was the only other senior to make the cut. He finished 49th with rounds of 71, 74, 79, and 71.
How Much Will it Help?
Langer and Singh will be getting a break on distance this week. Augusta National plays 7,445 yards, while TPC Sugarloaf will check in at 7,131 yards.
It’s a slight difference and probably won’t be a huge advantage to the two, but their length off the tee will certainly serve them well. Singh is tied for eighth in driving distance at 288.9 yards, and Langer, who won here in 2013, is 19th at 282.4 yards.
Langer is also accurate off the tee. He is seventh in that category, hitting the fairway 77 percent of the time. Singh struggles in that area, ranking 71st at 59 percent.
Defending Champion Down Board
Stephen Ames captured the trophy last year, but is at 50/1 to repeat. That seems a little high for the Canadian. The 53 year old has three top 20 finishes, including a tie for 12th and 17th in his last two events.
That victory last year was his first on the Champions Tour and he became the 11th player to win on the Web.com Tour, the PGA Tour and the Champions Tour. He told PGA Tour.com that he was proud of joining the elite club.
“It’s the same feeling as any tour that you win on,” Ames said. “It’s a thrill, it’s a real thrill right now.”
Ames held off Langer last year en route to his victory, winning by four strokes after starting the final round with a one-shot lead.
Time for Toms to Take Title?
David Toms is the co-favorite with Langer for good reason. He has been on a tear this season, but hasn’t hit the winner’s circle. That could come this week.
The 51 year old has played in five events and finished in the top 5 four times. He is second in putting average and birdies.
Another player to watch at this tournament is Miguel Angel Jimenez. He won here in his debut in 2014 and has never been outside the top 10. He is at 10/1.
A couple of longshots to look at are Joe Durant and Gene Sauers. Durant is listed at 20/1, and the winner of February’s Chubb Classic has two other top 10s.
Sauers is definitely under the radar. He is No. 6 on the money list and has put together a strong season. He finished tied for third at the last Champions Tour event and has three other top-10 finishes. He is also listed at 20/1.