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PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. (AP) -Kenny Perry, Bernhard Langer and Paul Goydos aren't quite ready to switch to shuffleboard.
The wily PGA Tour veterans showed they can still hang with the youngsters, taking up three of the top four spots on the leaderboard after two rounds at The Players Championship.
Then again, who better to handle demanding conditions at TPC Sawgrass than three guys who've been around it more than a few times.
"It's the type of course where it doesn't hurt to have played it a bunch," Langer said.
Langer proved that Friday, shooting a 5-under 67 in the blustery second round, moving one shot behind Perry (6-under 138) and setting up a final pairing that's a combined 97 years old.
Langer already has won twice this year - on the Champions Tour.
The two-time Masters champion and former Ryder Cup captain thought about withdrawing Thursday morning when he felt pain in his lower back, which caused his groin and left knee to ache. Throw in some shoulder soreness, and the 50-year-old German hardly seemed ready to compete against a field that includes some players who weren't even born when he won his first Masters
"I think I can win," Langer said.
So do Perry and Goydos, who is also one stroke off the lead, along with Sergio Garcia .
The 47-year-old Perry went to the PGA Tour's weekly Bible study at Fred Funk's home Wednesday night and found some inspiration. He discovered Funk's crystal trophy from the 2005 Players, the one in which he became the tournament's oldest champion (48).
"I got a good look at his trophy," said Perry, who rubbed it for good luck. "That guy inspired me."
Goydos, 43, is the youngest of the three and maybe the least experienced.
"I'm more journeyman than veteran," said Goydos, who has won only twice in his 15 years on tour.
