Langer cruises to 4-shot ACE Group lead

NAPLES, Fla., Feb. 19 (UPI) -- Bernhard Langer separated himself from the pack Saturday, firing a 6-under-par 66 to take control of the ACE Group Classic by four shots after two rounds.

Langer was tied for the top spot after 18 holes, but put considerable distance between himself and four players tied for second Saturday, finishing 36 holes at 14-under 130, which matched Tom Watson's 2002 tournament record.

The German began the round with a brilliant 12-foot birdie putt on the first hole and went on to also birdie the next two holes, never looking back after that.

First-round, co-leader Russ Cochran shot a 2-under 70 to fall into a tie with Fred Funk (66), Mark Calcavecchia (67) and Mark O'Meara (69) in second place at minus-10.

Knotted in sixth place were David Frost and Nick Price, both of whom posted rounds of 5-under 67 to finish at 9-under 135.