It was during an innocuous game of pickleball that Bernhard Langer’s season took a drastic turn. While receiving a lob, the German ruptured his Achilles tendon, leaving him with no chance of competing in the Masters at Augusta.
Bernhard Langer, statements
“The day after the operation, I immediately started wondering what the future would hold,” recalled the champion. “I had no idea how long I would be sidelined, or if I would even come back.”
A Friday Return A ruptured Achilles tendon is far from a minor injury, especially at 66 years old.
Still in tremendous physical shape, he will be back this Friday for the Insperity Invitational in Woodlands, Texas, a tournament he has won four times. The man with 46 victories on the senior circuit reflected on his “miraculous comeback” in a video posted on the PGA Tour Champions’ social media platforms.
“I think I can still be very good for a few more years,” affirmed the winner of the 1984 Open de France. “I believe I still have many good rounds of golf left to play. My goal has always been to be the best I can be, and I think if I get back to my best level, even at my age, I can still be competitive. And I believe I can still win.”
Langer’s recovery involved physical therapy work. He had to wear a special boot to protect his foot. The German also explained that he drew inspiration from Aaron Rodgers, an American football player for the New York Jets who had suffered the same injury.
“It lifted my spirits, you know, when I heard he was back on the field, throwing the ball after eight or nine weeks. It encouraged me to think that I might be able to do something similar.”
Bernhard Langer, born on August 27, 1957, in Anhausen, is a renowned German golfer with an impressive international reputation.
Turning professional in 1976, Langer has amassed numerous titles both in Europe and the United States. Among his most notable triumphs are his two victories at the Masters Tournament, in 1985 and 1993.
Throughout his career, Langer has achieved significant milestones, including two European Tour Order of Merit titles in 1981 and 1984. This prestigious award is bestowed upon the player who accumulates the most prize money during the season.
In 2004, Langer had the honor of serving as the captain for Team Europe in the Ryder Cup, during the edition held at the Oakland Hills Country Club in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, securing victory for his team.
Over the years, he has claimed a total of 74 tournament victories, solidifying his status as one of the greatest golfers in history.
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