[PHOTO: SOPA Images]
Age has proven to be no match for Bernhard Langer, but a devastating injury will finally slow him down. And it couldn’t have come at a worse time.
The 66-year-old announced overnight that he suffered a torn Achilles tendon on Thursday during “training exercises” and will need surgery. Langer had previously announced that he would be competing in his final Masters in April.
Bernhard Langer says 2024 will mark his final Masters appearance
Here’s Langer’s full statement via the PGA Tour Champions:
Yesterday, during training exercises in Boca Raton, I tore my Achilles tendon. I will have surgery today to repair the injury, which will cause me to miss time playing competitive golf as I recover. Throughout my career, faith and family have been my bedrocks, providing me strength and guiding me through difficult times. I will lean on both as I work towards a return to competition.
I appreciate everyone’s support during this time, and I look forward to seeing the fans and my fellow competitors back on the course soon.
Although Langer doesn’t mention the Masters specifically, it’s hard to imagine even this ageless wonder recovering quickly enough to play at hilly Augusta National in two months.
Langer was getting set to make his 41st and final start at the Masters, 42 years after making his debut. The two-time green jacket winner had missed the cut the past three years.
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Masters champions have a lifetime exemption, meaning it’s up to the player to decide when to walk away. So Langer could move his Augusta National swansong to another year.
In terms of other accomplishments, Langer has already broken Hale Irwin’s record for most PGA Tour Champions win last year with his 46th title. He finished T-22 in the season-opening Mitsubishi Electric Championship last month. He also won the PNC Championship for a fifth time in December with son Jason.
