Golf legend Bernhard Langer admits that “walking is still difficult” as he prepares for his final Masters tournament later this month.
The 67-year-old, who rose to prominence in the 80s and 90s, continues to compete among the world’s best on the PGA Tour Champions. With Augusta’s prestigious event approaching, Langer is gearing up for what could be his final appearance—one year later than originally expected.
While he isn’t expecting to add a third Masters title to his 1985 and 1993 victories, the golfing icon is eager to take on the legendary course once more. He shared:
“So I’m not going in there with a mindset of winning anymore, that train has passed.
“But trying to still perform and show some good shots and hopefully be there on the weekend.”
Langer’s 2024 season was disrupted by an Achilles tendon tear, forcing him to miss what was meant to be his farewell Masters appearance.
His recovery has been challenging, particularly when it comes to navigating the vast greens of Augusta.
e continued: “To get back to where I was and I always thought I would come back, it was just a matter of when and how.
“So it was a long and tough process. It still is. I’m not 100 percent and maybe I never will be, but walking is still difficult. So I’ve been riding a cart for the most part – well, walking 18 holes.
“I can walk, I’m okay walking nine holes, but then I get a little fatigued and stiff and all that kind of stuff. It’s still a process trying to get better in that department. I’m hoping to play great, and I have to play great to make the cut because the course is so long for me that nothing but great will do it.
“I’m coming in with two and three-irons where the other guys are hitting nine-irons, on every hole, and that’s just hard to compete.” When asked about retirement, Langer said, as reported by the Mirror US: “No, I never had a number in mind,” nodding towards the age he will give up the game.
He continued: “I always said the three things that need to be in place, first of all, I’ve got to be healthy to swing the club the way I want to swing it. Secondly, I’ve got to enjoy the game and have a desire, and certainly I need to be in contention or playing at a level where I’m not finishing in the bottom third of the field every week.
“I’ve always said, if those three things are still there, if I have the desire, the health and the success, I probably will continue to play the Champions Tour. When one or two of these things go away, then it’s probably time to quit playing.
“Obviously if I’m not healthy, I can’t play at all. If I don’t have some success, I may not enjoy it as much, and then it’s time to pack it in, too.”
