U.S. SENIOR OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP

July 2, 2023

Bernhard Langer

Mike Whan

Kevin Hammer

Jimmy Roberts

SentryWorld

NBC Ceremony

BERNHARD LANGER:

JIMMY ROBERTS: Historic week to say the least here, and the very first thing we needed is to offer a shoutout to SentryWorld and the amazing fans here in Wisconsin. I don't think anybody has left. Let me turn it over to Mike Whan, chief executive officer of the United States Golf Association. Mike.

MIKE WHAN: Jimmy is right, Wisconsin, you guys nailed it. As a kid born and raised in Chicago you don't know how hard this is for me, but I think you earned it.

(Puts on cheesehead. )

Still rooting for the Bears, but I love you.

SentryWorld, you guys have had a nice secret here in Wisconsin. Unfortunately we just let the world know about it. This is a true American gem. Congratulations.

To Pete McPartland and all the associates at Sentry, you guys were incredible hosts and we are really proud to be your partner. Thanks for having us here.

Great golf courses -- and we just played one -- great golf courses don't happen by chance. They happen because of great superintendents, and you have one of the best right here in Matt Smith and this grounds crew. Thank you, Matt. (Applause.)

To Rob Jansen, and all the folks associated with the Wisconsin Golf Association, thanks for letting us come to your turf and show off your great place. Thanks, Rob. (Applause.)

I see you out there in all your green shirts, over 2000 volunteers made this championship possible. Without you we don't play this event, so thank you all 2000 of you for a great week. (Applause.

Now to turn your attention do some incredible performances is this week. Help me in welcoming the chairman the USGA Championship Committee, Kevin Hammer.

KEVIN HAMMER: Thank you, Mike. This year as U.S. Senior Open field included 24 amateurs, two of whom made the cut with the score of 296. The silver medal for low amateur goes to Mark Strickland of San Diego, California. Congratulations. (Applause.)

And now it is my honor to welcome the champion of the 43rd United States Senior Open, with a score of 277, the gold medal for the winner of the 43rd U.S. Senior Open goes to Bernard Langer of Germany. (Applause.)

We are also thrilled to present the United States Senior Open championship trophy. (Applause.)

JIMMY ROBERTS: We've been talking about this all weekend long. You turned professional at 15 years old and now the record is all yours. How difficult was it today to not think about what was at stake?

BERNHARD LANGER: It's been very difficult ever since I won my 45th in Naples in February and I tied Hale Irwin's record. Everybody keeps talking. Wherever I play, people couple up and say, make this your 46th. Make history here. It's hard to get away from a it. I did very well and was able to block it out and try to stay in the present. I really felt at peace today, which we don't always do.

I was in the zone and praying a lot, reading my Bible. My versus for the week was you can do all things through Christ. He strengthens me. (Applause.)

Thank you.

JIMMY ROBERTS: I think there are a lot people watching who might not have even been golf fans but were rooting for a guy doing something a lot of people thought he shouldn't be able to do. How much longer do you think you can play at this level?

BERNHARD LANGER: I really don't know. It all depends if I'm staying healthy or not. There are a lot more aches and pains than ten years ago. I still enjoy the game. If I play like I did this week, I'm going to keep playing.

You know, there have been the odd week when I thought, what were you doing out here? Go home and play with the grandkids, you know.

JIMMY ROBERTS: Congratulations. What a week. The records is all yours.

BERNHARD LANGER: Thank you.

JIMMY ROBERTS: Bernard Langer, U.S. Senior Open champion.

BERNHARD LANGER: Thank you.

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