PGA: Bernhard Langer builds 4-shot lead in Senior Open

The weather cleared at Royal Porthcawl, but Bernhard Langer remained in his usual position.

Langer carded a bogey-free 6-under-par 65 on Saturday in the calmer conditions to take a four-stroke lead over Corey Pavin after three rounds in the Senior Open Championship at Bridgend, Wales.

"Definitely efficient," said Langer, the two-time Masters champion who has won a record nine majors on the senior circuit. "What happened really good today was my driving was really, really good. Hit a lot of fairways.

"Hit the ball solid, which then gives you the opportunity to have shorter irons with distance control and I hit some really good irons to pin-high, pretty close. Gave myself opportunities. The putter wasn't brilliant, but it wasn't bad. So overall, a very, very solid round."

The 59-year-old German star, chasing his fifth victory in the last 10 senior majors, birdied four of the first seven holes and two of the last four, giving him a total of 5-under 208 through 54 holes.

Pavin, who captured the 1995 U.S. Open but has only one victory on the Champions Tour, birdied five of the last nine holes of the front nine and made his only bogey at No. 16 in a 65.

"It was certainly an easier day to play golf, no doubt about that," said Pavin, who hasn't won since the 2012 Allianz Championship. "It was almost balmy out there. It was nice not to have to wear a sweater. The wind was down. It was definitely get-able today."

Peter Lonard of Australia shot a bogey-free 67 and is five shots back in solo third, while Miguel Angel Jimenez of Spain eagled the 13th hole en route to a 65 and is another stroke behind in a tie for fourth with Steve Flesch and Billy Mayfair, who both had 71s.

Magnus Persson Atlevi of Sweden posted a 65 and is seven down in a tie for seventh with Scott Dunlap, who totaled 66, plus Santiago Luna of Spain and local favorite Philip Price of Wales, who both finished at 68.