Langer ready for gruelling U.S. Senior Open

DENVER (Reuters) - Germany's Bernhard Langer has prepared himself for a gruelling week at the U.S. Senior Open where he will be bidding to win his first major title on the over-50 circuit.

Langer has struggled to adjust to the climate and time change at The Broadmoor Resort in Colorado Springs, Colorado after finishing fourth at last week's Senior British Open in Scotland.

"It's pretty hard on us 50-year-olds to go back-to-back majors," the former world number one told reporters on the eve of Thursday's opening round. "You don't do that to 20 or 30-year-olds. They're doing it to us.

"I think it's quite difficult because we were over in Scotland and it's a seven-hour time change. Plus you're at altitude (here). We're not the youngest. That's why it's called the Senior Open."

The par-70 East Course at The Broadmoor, at 7,254 yards, is the longest layout in the tournament's history and Langer rates the greens among the most difficult he has seen.

"They are some of the most severe and punishing that I have experienced anywhere in the world," the 50-year-old said.

"They're extremely sloppy and quite fast. Plus you're dealing with altitude when you get your shots in and you're constantly figuring is it 10 percent (less club) or is it five percent."

Langer, who won the Masters in 1985 and 1993, has enjoyed a successful debut season on the Champions Tour with two victories and eight other top-10 finishes in 14 starts.

"I've been playing fairly well the last two tournaments or so," he said. "I'm hitting the ball reasonably and I'm looking forward to the challenge of The Broadmoor."