Evergreen Bernhard Langer joined the Champions Tour’s prestigious 20-win club with a one-stroke victory over a star-studded leaderboard at the Insperity Invitational.

The 56-year-old German becomes the tenth player to capture 20 tournament wins on the 50-and-older circuit. Langer had to work hard to claim this trophy, however. He led from the outset of the 54-hole tournament and made four early final-round birdies to move to 14-under par at The Woodlands course in Texas. No further birdies ensued as Langer dropped back to 12-under with two holes to play and had fellow Hall of Famers Fred Couples and Colin Montgomerie chasing him down.

Bernhard Langer raises his arms in triumph after putting out for a one stroke victory at the Insperity Invitational. PHOTO: Getty Images

Couples, who was running hot at five-under for the final nine, dropped a crucial stroke at the 18th hole that allowed Langer the breathing space to do likewise and win by a shot with a closing 71.

“I’m hoping to add to that number,” Langer said of his impressive haul of titles. “I hope I’m not done yet. I’m very blessed to have won 20 times in six years. It’s been a great run and a wonderful achievement. I just feel like I’m playing some of my best golf in my career.”

Other players Langer joins in the 20-win club include: Hale Irwin (45 wins), Lee Trevino (29), Gil Morgan (25), Miller Barber (24), Sir Bob Charles (23), Don January and Chi-Chi Rodriguez (both 22) and Jim Colbert and Bruce Crampton (also with 20).

This was Langer’s second Champions Tour victory this year and his third win at the event, after also taking out the Insperity Invitational in 2007 and 2008. He now leads the circuit’s Charles Schwab Cup points race by 388 points over Couples.

 LEADERBOARD

1. Bernhard Langer (Ger)                 66-68-71—205

2. Fred Couples (US)                        69-70-67—206

3. Colin Montgomerie (Sco)             71-66-70—207

4. Esteban Toledo (Mex)                  67-71-71—209

T5. Jay Haas (US)                             70-70-70—210

T5. Tom Pernice Jnr (US)                 72-67-71—210

ALSO:

T18. Peter Senior (Qld)                   71-72-72—215

T47. David Merriman (NSW)        74-76-73—223

* For the full leaderboard, click here