Bernhard Langer has called on golf's governing bodies to introduce world ranking points for senior events and allow more veterans into the field at major championships.

Langer was the leading player on the Champions Tour in America last year, but has not been exempt from Open Championship qualifying for several years.

Tom Watson's performance at last week's Open at the age of 59, along with that of Greg Norman a year earlier at Royal Birkdale, has forced the R&A to consider upping the exempt age for former winners back to 65 from 60, which it was lowered to two years ago.

Langer said: “It wouldn't be a bad thing for any tournament to have a Tom Watson, Greg Norman, Mark O'Meara, whoever, in your tournament.

“It's not like you're inviting in players that have no history — they are some of the greatest guys that ever swung a club.”