Langer leads list of former champions in SAS Championship field

Peter Koutroumpis, Triangle Sports Network
Peter Koutroumpis, Triangle Sports Network

CARY, N.C. – World Golf Hall of Fame member Bernhard Langer leads the field of former champions committed to the SAS Championship as announced on Wednesday for the upcoming Champions Tour event that will take place at Prestonwood Country Club from Oct. 6 -12.

Langer, a five-time winner through 16 events, will look to add to his remarkable 2014 season against two-time SAS champion Russ Cochran (2013 & 2010)Kenny Perry (2011), Tom Pernice, Jr. (2009), Mark Wiebe (2007), Tom Jenkins (2006), Hale Irwin (2005), Craig Stadler (2004), and D.A. Weibring (2003).

“Our field looks very strong so far, especially with commitments from Langer, Perry and Pernice Jr., who have all won this year,” SAS Championship tournament director Jeff Kleiber said.

“The way Bernhard is playing right now is incredible. He’s always done well at Prestonwood and if his form continues over the next few weeks, we could be seeing our third repeat champion at this year’s SAS Championship.”

Following a top-10 finish at this year’s Masters Tournament, Langer went on to capture two senior major titles, winning the Constellation SENIOR PLAYERS Championship in June and The Senior Open Championship in July with a 13-stroke margin of victory, the largest in event history.

Langer’s performance equaled the second-largest in Major Championship history, regular or senior.

Tiger Woods won the US Open Championship by 15 in 2000 and Old Tom Morris won The Open Championship by 13 in 1862.

Langer currently leads the Official Money List and Charles Schwab Cup points race after earning his 23rd Champions Tour career victory last weekend at the Dick’s Sporting Goods Open.

Of the 16 Tour events played this season, eight have been won by former SAS Champions.

Perry won the first senior major of the year, the Regions Tradition in May, and held off Langer at the 3M Championship last month for his seventh career victory on the Champions Tour.

Pernice Jr. earned his third Champions Tour victory after winning the Principal Charity Classic in May.

To date, the group of past tournament champions has collected over 100 wins on the Champions Tour and eight titles this season.

Irwin leads the pack with an impressive 45 victories in his Champions Tour career, while Langer moves into a tie for 5th place with 23 career wins on the overall list.