Veteran Langer is hoping to eclipse Nicklaus

Having masterminded a record win for Europe over the United States in the Ryder Cup, Bernhard Langer today insisted he can create history again by becoming the oldest winner of the Masters.

Jack Nicklaus set the mark at 46 when he claimed the sixth of his Masters victories in

1986. Langer, already twice a Masters champion, believes he still has the game at 47 to eclipse the Golden Bear at the Augusta National.

The German said: "If I play my game with very little mistakes, if I putt well, I still feel like I can win. Sure."

Augusta form suggests that Langer, who has passed the Ryder Cup captaincy on to another Masters title winner in Ian Woosnam, should not be dismissed as a contender when play starts on Thursday.

Having missed his first cut in 20 Masters in 2003, Langer bounced back to finish a fighting fourth last year and he comes to Augusta this time confident that the experience of 22 starts in the season's first major can compensate for the distance off the tee he is giving away to golf 's powerful young guns.

Langer said: "When I play very well I think I have a chance to win even though guys are hitting it way past me. It takes more than length to win here. I have a lot of experience. I know where to go and where not to go, certain pin positions.

"I'm a very competitive person and I'm not done yet."