Irish Golf Desk

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Langer wins big in Florida

Des Smyth had to settle for a share of 25th place as Bernhard Langer won the Ginn Championship Hammock Beach Resort for his second Champions Tour victory in three starts.

The German ace shot a one-under 71 in windy conditions for an eight-stroke victory over Lonnie Nielsen and Tim Simpson.

Langer had one of three under-par rounds, with the wind off the Atlantic Ocean a sustained 25 mph and the temperature in 50s.

The German star finished at 12-under 204 and earned $375,000 for his third victory in 11 career starts on the 50-and-over circuit.

"It felt more like a 65 ... it was that difficult," Langer said. "I stayed aggressive, and I was able to pull most of it off. I played very solid this week, and today."

Langer took the lead on the money list and Charles Schwab Cup points race. He supplanted Scott Hoch on both lists and joined Hoch as the only multiple winner.

Smyth closed with a four-over par 76 featuring six bogeys and an eagle three at the 10th to move up nine places to 51st on the Champions Tour money list.