Langer leads the way

Golf

Golf

Langer leads the way

Bernhard Langer, of Germany, was out in front yesterday after the third round of the Deutsche Bank Open in Hamburg with a round of 68, which leaves him five shots clear of Britain's Jamie Spence. Langer, still suffering from a sore throat, had five birdies and just one bogey at the short 16th, but his 15-under-par total is a European Tour record for this season. Barring a disaster, he will win his 33rd European Tour event today, and his second in a row after taking the Volvo PGA Championship at Wentworth just two weeks ago. Langer said: "I am in a very good position but I never make predictions. can be cruel as well as kind."

Britain's Laura Davies completed her 36th career victory when she fired a superb closing round of 67 to win the American Express Evian Masters in France yesterday. A 17-under-par 271 left her five strokes clear of Annika Sorenstam, the Australian Open champion from Sweden. Catrin Nilsmark, another Swede, was one stroke further behind, followed by Yorkshire's Alison Nicholas. "That is the best I have played all year," Davies said. "I was nervous at the start, but had a lucky break at the first hole which settled me down."