COLOGNE, Germany, Oct. 5 (UPI) -- Bernhard Langer, who has won on home soil 10 times, moved into position to make it No. 11 Friday by firing an 8-under 64 to take a two-stroke lead after two rounds of the German Masters.
The 44-year old Ryder Cup player produced the low round of the day for a two-round total of 13-under 131. He has won this tournament, which he co-founded, on three occasions.
Australian Stephen Leaney, Sweden's Fredrik Jacobson and first-round leader Greg Owen of England shared second place at 133. Leaney and Jacobson both shot 66 while Owen had a 68.
Langer is in the dual role this week of performer and co-promoter with his brother, Erwin. Despite the off-course distractions, the German focused on his golf game and picked up eight birdies, five of them coming between the first and sixth holes.
"I hit a lot of greens and gave myself chances for birdies and the greens were very good," he said. "It was just a matter of reading them correctly and getting the right pace. I believe it's my lowest round here.
"My back was hurting a little bit, my lower right back. I was stretching several times on the course to make sure my posture was good, but it didn't affect me to the point where I couldn't swing and couldn't play."
