Bernhard bounces back

The home favourite, 50 in August, had stayed alive in the one German tournament he has failed to win. And when he resumed in windy conditions, Langer went to the turn in 33 and then grabbed further birdies at the 11th, 12th and 13th.

At eight under par the double Masters champion, who lost a play-off on the US Tour only a month ago, was still four behind halfway leader Niclas Fasth, but he was up into a tie for sixth place with England's Nick Dougherty.

Playing partner Phillip Price, his Ryder Cup team-mate of five years ago, was going well too and so was Scot Alastair Forsyth.

Price, who beat Phil Mickelson in a memorable last day at The Belfry, hit back from a bogey on the third with three birdies in four holes just before the turn and stood four under.

Forsyth birdied the first, fourth and sixth to climb into a share of 11th spot.

Fasth, another member of that 2002 side, led by two from fellow Swede Peter Hanson, with France's Thomas Levet, Argentina's Andres Romero and Portugal's Jose-Filipe Lima one further back.

The weather change was affecting some badly. South African Darren Fichardt managed only 42 for the front nine and slumped to four over and Spain's Alejandro Canizares, son of 1989 Ryder Cup hero Jose Maria, dropped five shots in the first seven holes to stand two over.

The forecast was not as bad as European Tour meteorologist Craig Mroczka was being led to believe by some of his mischievous colleagues, however.

They were telling him to expect a storm at noon and severe frost at 2pm and it took a while for him to tumble that Christian Cevaer and David Frost were paired together in the fourth last match and Graeme Storm was two hours ahead of them.