Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. ? Hot blasts of wind on a diabolical course made The Players Championship tough enough to turn someone’s hair gray. Not that the leaders needed any help with that Friday.

Kenny Perry, who first showed up at Sawgrass 20 years ago, kept his wits and his patience in 35 mph gusts and made only one bogey in a solid round of 2-under 70 that gave him a one-shot lead at 6 under going into the weekend.

He will be paired with Bernhard Langer, who 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, along with his left shoulder. All those creaking joints, and the 50-year-old Langer still managed to produce a 67 and entertain hopes of winning against kids who weren’t even born when he won his first Masters.

Paul Goydos, 43, also was one shot behind after a 71.

Also one stroke back was Sergio Garcia, the 28-year-old Spaniard whose driving was as spectacular as his putting was atrocious. Garcia hit all 14 fairways, missed only three greens and took 33 putts on his way to a 73.

When it all ended, 15 players remained under par, a group that included Fred Couples at 2-under 142, with defending champion Phil Mickelson and Ernie Els at 143.