Langer's early Florida challenge
General
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Editor /
02 March 2007 /
South Korea's Charlie Wi leads the field after the opening round of the Honda Classic in Florida, but veteran Bernhard Langer is just one shot back.
Wi, who's best USPGA tour finish was tied for ninth earlier at this year's Buick Invitational, fired a five-under-par first round 65.
Langer though was the story of the day, as the German ace recaptured some form with an impressive 66 leaving him just one shot off the pace.
The former Masters champion, now 49-years-old, surprised himself with his display - hitting 15 greens in regulation.
Langer admitted: "It's extremely tough to score from the rough here. You need to drive the ball in the fairway and then try and hit greens."
Australia's Robert Allenby is among a group of four players on -3, while Ireland's Padraig Harrington and Brian Davis of England are both on -2.
Betfair punters see Allenby as the 7.2 favourite to claim the title on Sunday, with Jim Furyk (-1) trading at 7.6.
Harrington can be backed at 8.2, while current leader Wi is available at 28. Langer is trading at 32 to win the tournament and can be backed at 6 to finish in the top five.