GERMAN golf icon Bernhard Langer hit an incredible 350-yard drive at the Senior Open after a fortunate deflection.
The 63-year-old is one of the leading stars of the senior game thanks to his age-defying athleticism.
Langer unleashed his monster effort at the second round of the Senior Open, being held at Sunningdale Golf Club in Berkshire.
The ageing star’s effort hit a concrete path, generating further pace on the ball until it eventually stopped at the 350-yard mark.
Some of the biggest hitters in the professional game – including Bryson DeChambeau – would be happy emulating Langer’s drive on the PGA Tour.
Langer’s strike helped him post a three-under-par score of 67, adding to the 66 he shot on Thursday.
Former Open champion Darren Clarke was leading the event on eight-under-par heading into the weekend, three shots ahead of the German.
Langer is the most decorated player in the history of the senior game, continuing to play at a near-professional standard despite his age.
The two-time Masters champion has won a record 11 majors at senior level, including the Senior Open four times.
Golf fans have been reacting to Langer’s powerful effort on social media, with one tweeting: “Why out Bryson DeChambeau.”
While another wrote: “Bernhard Langer? More like Bernhard LONGER.”
And one tweeted: “Thing took off like a Rafael Nadal forehand.”
Despite producing his impressive strike, Langer believes more needs to be done to stop golfers consistently hitting monster drives.
The German said: “So far, they haven’t yet done anything really of any great impact to bring the ball back.
“They’ve obviously put restrictions on the ‘trampolining effect’ on the driver but people are still hitting the ball incredibly far.
“It’s a fascinating part of the game, so it’s a difficult decision and I do get it, because people come out and watch Bryson DeChambeau.
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“But at the same time, you’re making some courses obsolete and golf becomes more expensive because whereas you used to need 7,000 yards, now you need 8,000 yards.
“You need an extra 1,000 yards that you must take care of and maintain and water… It’s just less expensive not to do an extra 1,000 yards.
“It’s just common sense.”
