Senior PGA Championship tees off at The Concession Golf Club

Bernhard Langer is one of four golfers tied for the lead after the first round.

By Jack Nelson
| 4:18 p.m. April 16, 2026

Bernhard Langer reads the 10th green before attempting a putt. The 47-time winner on the PGA Tour Champions and two-time Masters Tournament champion shot six under par in his opening round.

East County
Sports

Years continue to come and go. Bernhard Langer ages accordingly.

He's seen plenty of fellow golfers call it quits on their respective careers. But after five-plus decades in the pros, he still refuses to leave the links for good.

"I don't have much trouble with coming out here and giving my best. It just comes natural to me," Langer said. "Motivating myself is not an issue."

At 68 years old, the German is tied for the lead after the first day of the Senior PGA Championship, which was April 16 at The Concession Golf Club. He shot 6-under par in his opening round — as did Miguel Ángel Jiménez, Stephen Allan and Brian Gay.

Langer was even-par through the first seven holes. From then on, he went on a tear, carding six birdies and an eagle to finish at 66 overall on the par-72 course.

It was the 43rd instance in which the two-time Masters Tournament champion has shot his age or better on the PGA Tour Champions.

"That happens more than I'd like it to be, but it's fun to shoot my age," Langer said. "That's one of the goals these days — especially when you play a difficult golf course. And these greens here are very difficult."

Langer's success on the senior circuit is unmatched. His 47 wins mark the all-time record, and so do his 12 senior major victories.

The Senior PGA Championship, though, is the only such tournament he hasn't won more than once. He hasn't claimed the Alfred S. Bourne Trophy since 2017 at Trump National Golf Club in Washington.

Pursuit of another — and his proverbial fight with father time — will continue April 17 in the second round.

Starting at 7:30 am, groups will tee off on the first and 10th holes. Tickets can be purchased at srpgachampionship.com/tickets/.

John Daly departs the 18th hole tee box on wheels. Nicknamed — John Daly departs the 18th hole tee on wheels. Nicknamed "Long John" for his driving distance off the tee, he won the 1991 PGA Championship and The Open Championship in 1995.

Ernie Els watches his sand shot fly on the 15th hole. Inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2011, he finished at three under par in his first round. — Ernie Els watches his sand shot fly on the 15th hole. Inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2011, he finished at 3-under par in his first round.

Pádraig Harrington fights through foliage for his approach shot on the 16th hole. The Irishman, who has 11 wins on the PGA Tour Champions, is tied for eighth place at four under par. — Pádraig Harrington fights through foliage for his approach shot on the 16th hole. The Irishman, who has 11 wins on the PGA Tour Champions, is tied for eighth place at 4-under par.

Retief Goosen digs himself out of the bunker to get on the 16th green. He's tied for fourth place at five under par through the first day of action at The Concession. — Retief Goosen digs himself out of the bunker to get on the 16th green. He's tied for fourth place at 5-under par through the first day of action at The Concession.

Zach Johnson hits a drive on the 18th hole. This is his first Senior PGA Championship, and his first season on the PGA Tour Champions after 12 wins on the PGA Tour.

Ángel Cabrera, winner of the 2025 Senior PGA Championship, watches his 16th-hole drive. He ultimately shot nine over par — second-lowest among all golfers in the first round. — Ángel Cabrera, winner of the 2025 Senior PGA Championship, watches his 16th-hole drive.

Stewart Cink waves to the crowd after sinking a putt on the 17th green. At 52 years old, he already has two wins on the PGA Tour Champions this season.

Steven Alker, who won the Cologuard Classic on March 22, writes in his scorecard. He finished at four over par — 10 strokes behind the leaders. — Steven Alker, who won the Cologuard Classic on March 22, writes in his scorecard. He finished at 4-over par — 10 strokes behind the leaders.

Alex Čejka reads the green before attempting a putt on the 17th hole. He won the 2021 Senior PGA Championship, but is two over par through the first round of the 2026 tournament. — Alex Čejka reads the green before attempting a putt on the 17th hole. He won the 2021 Senior PGA Championship, but is 2-over par through the first round of the 2026 tournament.

The Alfred S. Bourne Trophy sits by the tee box of the first hole at The Concession. Whoever wins this year's Senior PGA Championship will have the right to raise it.

author

Jack Nelson

Jack Nelson is the sports reporter for the East County and Sarasota/Siesta Key Observers. As a proud UCLA graduate and Massachusetts native, Nelson also writes for NBA.com and previously worked for MassLive. His claim to fame will always be that one time he sat at the same table as LeBron James and Stephen Curry.