‘I Wasn’t Able to Walk’: Bernhard Langer Struggled To Be a ‘Functioning Golfer’ As Injury Woes Got The Better Of Him
“I could have retired,” Bernhard Langer said earlier in an interview after tearing his Achilles tendon while playing pickleball in Florida back in February. At 67, he’s well past the age when many of his peers start to fade from the PGA Tour Champions leaderboard. But Langer’s always had a way of defying age in golf, so it wasn’t surprising when he bounced back quickly. Still, a torn Achilles is no small injury. Not long ago, any pro golfer would have seen it as a career-ending blow. Yet, after a brief hiatus following surgery, Langer was already back on the course.
“I could have said ‘OK, well, this is it. I’m 66, let’s just pack it in. I have nothing to prove. I don’t need it financially. Let’s just enjoy the grandkids and stay at home,” Langer said. “But that’s not me. I’m a very competitive person and I still enjoy being out there. I knew I could perform if I’m somewhat healthy.”
And that’s exactly what he’s done. Bernhard Langer was on fire, finishing in the top eight in his last four tournaments. Right now, he’s sitting at No. 2 at the $3 million Phoenix Country Club event, proving that age is just a number.
In a media interaction at the tournament, Langer shared how it felt to return to the course after such a serious injury. “I’m a very positive person, so I always thought I would be able to come back,” he said. His surgeon and physical therapist had estimated he’d lose about half the season, but remarkably, Langer was able to return after just three months.
