• Senior Open Championship, Round Four

Wiebe sees off Langer after five hole play-off

ESPN staff
July 28, 2013
Bernhard Langer and Mark Wiebe replayed the 18th twice before play was called off because of darkness on Sunday © Getty Images
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Mark Wiebe won a sudden death play-off at the fifth attempt to clinch the Senior Open Championship over Bernhard Langer at Royal Birkdale.

The pair were forced to come back on Monday morning after play was suspended due to darkness following the conclusion of their final rounds on Sunday. Play had earlier been halted due to thuderstorms in Southport.

Both players were tied on nine-under for the tournament after Langer blew a two-stroke lead on the last hole of his fourth round. They returned to the 18th tee twice where, after halving both times, officials confirmed play would be called for the day - meaning the tournament would extend into a fifth day for the first time in its history.

However, both showed no signs of letting up when returning to the 18th for a third play-off hole at 8am. Langer found the middle of the fairway with his drive before Wiebe responded with the same.

The German missed his putt for birdie to the left of the hole as both settled for another halve and another trip back up the fairway. At the fourth attempt, Wiebe could not use Langer's line on the green and both tapped in for bogey.

However, Wiebe took the advantage on the fifth play-off hole with an excellent birdie attempt just coming up short. The American tapped in for par, and when Langer missed left with his attempt to halve, Wiebe was crowned champion.

"I'm a little tired. I was surprised Bernie [Langer] missed his putt," Wiebe told Sky Sports."It was my time. That second hole last night was very dark.

"Mother nature always wins and we came out this morning and here we are. I tried to play the play-off like I was playing in a normal round. I've never played in a play-off."

Elsewhere, Corey Pavin, Peter Senior and David Frost tied for third at six-under overall.

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