Bernhard Langer claims Tom Watson is not the only golden oldie who can compete with golf's young guns for major victories.

Langer believes the 59-year-old American's sensational challenge for a sixth Open title at Turnberry, following Greg Norman leading last year's Open aged 53, proves the sport's older generation can still cut it. The German, 51, speaking ahead of this week's Senior Open Championship at Sunningdale, where he will do battle with Watson and Norman, said: "It was a fantastic effort by Tom and last year Norman was in there, too. I just think it proves there's a bunch of guys who are over 50 but can still compete at the very highest level.

"If the courses aren't overly long then the guys over 50 still have a good chance because they can still play very well."