Oliver Wilson: Speaking to Bernhard Langer can lead to Euro tour win

Nov 23 2008 By Callum Robb

OLIVER WILSON reckons picking the brains of a legend can banish his mental block and lead to a long-awaited first Euro Tour win in today's Hong Kong Open finale.

The 28-year-old holds a one-stroke lead over Chinese Taipei's LinWen-tang after carding a five-under 65 for a 13-under 197 total yesterday.

Nearly man Wilson has the unwanted statistic of eight second-place finishes on the Tour since turning pro in 2005, making victory today even more important.

However, lurking ominously just two shots behind is the daunting figure of German great Bernhard Langer who blitzed his way to a 63.

His sizzling third round included an eagle and six birdies - four in a row from the 13th - and means he will be grouped with Wilson and Lin today.

Wilson hopes the experience of playing alongside two-time Major champ Langer can give him the edge to finally break his glory duck.

The Englishman said: "I've never played with Bernhard before so I'm really looking forward to seeing what he does out there and maybe I can learn from him.

"It is a great course for him and I fancied him to do well. I don't know how much Bernhard is playing but he's not going to give shots away and is probably one of the best ever at dealing deal with stuff like that.

"He's going to be dangerous and knows how to win." Wilson came close to title success at the recent HSBC Champions but lost out in a play-off to Sergio Garcia.

However, the Ryder Cup player insists he's not weighed down by his barren run and is focusing solely on doing the best he can.

He said: "It is important to try not to think about winning.

I need a good round but hopefully I will just keep doing what I am doing and it will prove enough."

For Langer, victory today would mark another milestone in an illustrious career as the veteran would become the oldest winner on the Euro Tour.

The 2004 Europe Ryder Cup captain has four triumphs this year - one on the European Senior Tour and three on the US Champions Tour.

But Langer admits glory in Hong Kong at age 51 would rank as a special moment.

He said: "I've had such a long and wonderful, successful career.

"There have been so many good things happen tome over the 33 years I have been playing golf as a pro that it's difficult to put them in rankings.

"There are the two US Masters wins, two Ryder Cup victories, the captaincy and all that stands out.

"But it would be so special to win here."

Rory McIlroy is among a group of four players tied for fourth at 10 under after the Northern Irishman shot a four-under 66.

And Scotland's Col in Montgomerie remains well placed for a final-day surge, sitting just a shot further back following a 68.

Paul Lawrie is 11 off the lead on two-under 208 after a 69.