Ten-time Senior Major Champion Bernhard Langer is expecting nothing less than the toughest of tests as the KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship returns to Oak Hill this year.
Langer made his first Senior PGA Championship appearance in 2008 at the same venue, finishing one stroke behind winner Jay Haas who carded a seven over par winning total – the second highest in the Championship’s history.
The two-time Masters winner was also a member of Europe’s victorious Ryder Cup side at Oak Hill in 1995, earning two points as Europe won 14 ½ - 13 ½.
“The golf course is very difficult, even if you have good weather,” said Langer. “I played several holes today, and it’s difficult with beautiful weather.
“The course is tough, the greens are small, very slopey, and well-protected with bunkers. There’s lots of rough, fairly long as well. There isn’t one hole out there where I would say I need to birdie it otherwise I’d lose against the field. There’s only two par fives and I can’t reach either – most of the guys can’t. The scores are going to be high no matter what.
“I think (in 2008) that was some of the highest scoring and most difficult conditions I’ve ever experienced anywhere for four days in a row. That’s just the way the golf course is set up with the high rough, fairly narrow fairways and small greens. Every aspect of your game has to be in order if you want to do well around here.”
