Hours before the start of the U.S. Senior Open, Bernhard Langer spoke to the media with a good deal of doubt in his remarks.

Because of the recent rain in Colorado Springs, he knew the East Course at The Broadmoor would play long. He knew that his game wasn’t in top form. But the man with the most victories in PGA Tour Champions history still was hoping for a special performance.

“I would like to think I can win any event I play,” he said. “There’s certainly some venues I feel more comfortable with my lack of distance, let’s put it that way. … So I have to be spot-on with the whole game.”

After opening strong with a 1-over-par 71, it appeared as though Langer might make a run at the leaders. Friday’s second round, however, never got on track, and his chances of making it to the weekend disintegrated with four bogeys in five holes to start the back nine.

Langer, who won the Senior Open in 2010, finished at 8 over. He wasn’t the only past champion to miss the cut.

Fred Funk, the runner-up in 2008 at The Broadmoor, didn’t fare nearly as well 17 years later. The 2009 winner struggled both days, resulting in a 14-over score. Brad Bryant (2007 winner), the oldest player in this week’s field, shot a pair of 75s to finish 10 over. Other past winners to miss the cut were Gene Sauers (2016) at 9 over, Jeff Maggert (2015) at 12 over. and Olin Browne (2011) at 15 over.