Masters win ends Langer's drought

BERNHARD LANGER survived a double bogey at his jinx hole yesterday to win the $500,000 Alfred Dunhill Masters and end a frustrating, 13 month barren spell.

The double US Masters champion shot a final round 65 for a 17 under par total of 267 to take the $94,735 first prize in the Australasian PGA and Asian PGA co sanctioned event.

Langer (39), whose last win was the European Open, won by two strokes from South Korea's Kang Wook soon, who had a last round 66 with overnight leader Scott Laycock of Australia a further stroke adrift after a closing 71.

Langer started the day two shots behind Laycock but four consecutive birdies from the third hole put him in the driving seat. The German, winner of the 1991 Hong Kong Open on this course, added birdies at the eighth and ninth to reach the turn in 30.

But at the par three 15th, where he shot a triple bogey six on Saturday, he dropped two shots to put himself level with playing partner Kang. A birdie at the next, with the Korean bogeying, restored Langer's two shot cushion.

"It is good to win again and nice to know I can succeed with the long putter. I putted very well, I do not think I can putt a great deal better," said the world number 15, who used a broomhandle putter.

"I do not care what the putter looks like - you do not get paid for looking good. People laughed when I started to putt crosshanded in 1982 but that did not bother me.

"After the double bogey on 15 I said to my caddy that we would have to start over again and I hit a birdie right away. I am pleased with the way I played."

Kang, who has won twice on the Asian PGA Omega Tour this year and leads the order of merit, said: "I thought I had a chance after the 15th but I was too aggressive at the next hole and my approach went through the back [into a bunker] and I took a bogey.

European number one Colin Montgomerie, unhappy with his form all week, slumped to a five over par 76 including a quadruple bogey at the fourth where he incurred three penalty strokes. He drove into a ditch and after taking a penalty drop moved the ball.