Langer's Schwab Cup statement: An ace

SAN FRANCISCO -- Bernhard Langer is starting the season-ending Charles Schwab Cup Championship as if he doesn't want to relinquish the top perch on the Champions Tour.

Langer made a hole-in-one on the third hole at Harding Park Thursday. Using a 5-iron from 191 yards, Langer watched his ball land about 30 feet short of the flagstick and roll gently into the cup. Through five holes of the first round, Langer is two under and trails Peter Senior and Tom Pernice Jr., who are four under playing the back nine.

-- Bill Fields