Bernhard Langer (AFP)
German golf legend Bernhard Langer will be on unfamiliar territory at the Dutch Open on Thursday when he will be up against his teenage son for the first time.
Langer, a double US Masters winner who will be 50 next Monday, will be competing against his 17-year-year-old son Stefan at the Kennemer Golf and Country Club in Zandvoort after an invitation from the organisers.
The Langers won the PGA Tour's Father/Son Challenge in 2005 and 2006, but this is the first time Langer, who won the Masters in 1985 and 1993, has played against his son.
"This is something very special for me," Langer told German agency SID.
"It will be enormous fun for me to play with one of my children.
"And it will be a good experience for him to see what I do, first hand."
Langer senior tees off at 8.10 am, while Langer junior will be starting 20 minutes later.
But the Ryder Cup veteran, who captained Europe to victory in 2004, does not have high expectations for his offspring.
"There are many 17-year-olds who are better than him," said the German.
"He is not as good as Tigers Woods or Sergio Garcia were at his age."
It is not clear yet whether Stefan will follow the same occupation as his father, but the teenager can expect full support whatever path he chooses.
"I will be there for him no matter what he decides to do," said Langer.
The Dutch Open has often been a happy hunting ground for Langer who won the event in 1984, 1992 and 2001.
The defending champion is England's Simon Dyson.
© 2007 AFP/sid
