Bernhard Langer has had so many accomplishments, and set so many records, that it is hard for him to even keep track of them all. For one, no player over 50 has won more than he has on the PGA Tour Champions (46 victories), and no player has won more senior majors (12) than he has. Last year, he won the U.S. Senior Open.
Here is one record (albeit unofficial) to add to the books for Langer, who will turn 66 in August: Quickest recovery time in history from a torn Achilles tendon. He tore his left Achilles on Feb. 1 playing a game of pickleball near home in South Florida. Langer underwent surgery the next day, and was back playing golf ... the very first week in May? Impossible.
Flashback to this impressive birdie from Bernhard Langer at the 2008 #SrPGAChamp! #TopShotTuesday pic.twitter.com/vIhbRcc3NS
— KitchenAid Senior PGA Champ (@seniorpgachamp) April 9, 2024
He rejoined the Champions Tour in Houston at the Insperity Invitational, and tied for eighth two weeks ago at the season’s first senior major, the Regions Tradition.
Langer applied for, and received, an ADA exemption at this week’s KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship and will be allowed to ride a cart in competition. (PGA Tour Champions allows players or their caddies to ride week to week on tour, but at the majors, players walk.)
“If it hadn't been for that I wouldn't be playing golf anywhere right now, because I can't walk 18 holes,” Langer said Tuesday at Harbor Shores. “It's not just this week, it's every week for a few more months.”
Langer initially was told that such an injury sets most mortals back six, eight or 12 months. Sometimes longer. Langer proved once more, as he has so often in his career, that he is an exception to the rule. He had a procedure performed called a “speed bridge” that kept him from needing to wear a cast, and therein lies a key to his expedient recovery, he said. No muscle atrophy with his foot in a cast. Before long, he was back to work, something he loves like few others.
“Actually, I've been hitting balls for five or six weeks now,” Langer revealed Tuesday, “so I started hitting balls when I was about two months after surgery, which is pretty amazing.”
No shock there. He started his rehab two days after his surgery. This week marks the sixth playing of the KitchenAid Senior PGA at The Golf Club at Harbor Shores, and Langer has an amazing record at the venue though he has yet to win here. He tied for fourth in 2012; tied for third in 2014 and 2016; was unable to play because one of his children was graduating from high school in 2018 (though he was the tournament’s defending champion); and two years ago, entered the last round with a chance, shot 71, and watched Steven Alker walk off with the trophy.
2017 Senior PGA Champion Bernhard Langer is back and playing with Goosen & Yang. #SrPGAChamp pic.twitter.com/oNfFAJuxGe
— KitchenAid Senior PGA Champ (@seniorpgachamp) May 21, 2024
Langer was asked if the golf course, which was designed by Jack Nicklaus, has grown on him through the years.
“I thought this was a great golf course from the very get-go,” he said. “I think from tee to green it's one of the best there is. Just some of the greens are a little bit severe, that's all. But it's always been in great condition and very well received.
“I think Jack Nicklaus-designed courses, they make you think, they make you play from one spot to another, not just necessarily hit it anywhere you want. If you get caught in the wrong side, you get punished. Also with the greens. So you really have to think your way and be precise and figure out if you can't hit the proper shot, where can you get it up and down from and where not.”
Langer tees off Thursday at 7:59 a.m. with Retief Goosen and Y.E. Yang.
