At Glance
‣ Bernhard Langer, at 66, is making a remarkable return to the PGA Tour Champions only three months after a potentially career-ending torn left Achilles tendon, demonstrating his resilience and determination to continue competing at a high level.
‣ Inspired by Aaron Rodgers’ quick recovery from a similar surgery, Langer is optimistic about his comeback and future in golf, highlighting the importance of positive role models and mental strength in overcoming physical setbacks.
‣ Langer, a legendary figure in golf with a record-breaking number of senior Major titles, is not only focused on his recovery but also on maintaining competitiveness and winning more titles, showcasing his unwavering ambition and love for the game.
Two months after tearing his achilles, @BernhardLanger6 is making a return.
The 66-year-old plans to tee it up next week @InsperityInvtnl.
A look inside his miraculous comeback journey ⬇️
— PGA TOUR Champions (@ChampionsTour)
Bernhard Langer? Oh, you can’t sideline him for too long. Just three months, that’s all it took for the 66-year-old to bounce back from a torn left Achilles tendon. A nasty injury, really, that could’ve spelled the end of his illustrious career. But here he is, gearing up to make a grand return at the PGA Tour Champions’ Insperity Invitational this week. It’s his 342nd start on the senior circuit, if you can believe it.
The PGA Tour Champions couldn’t resist; they dropped a video on social media. In it, Langer spills the beans about his injury, the grueling rehab, and his palpable excitement to be swinging clubs again. The injury saga began in February, believe it or not, during a pickleball game with pals. A game! And just like that, his Achilles tendon was history. The very next day, he was under the knife, missing out on the Masters at Augusta—a place where he’s tasted victory not once, but twice.
Langer had his eyes set on 2024 for a grand farewell. Yet, here he was, sidelined. But then, Aaron Rodgers, the New York Jets quarterback, came into the picture. Rodgers, who’d undergone a similar surgery last September, was back to throwing footballs in just three months. That story, Langer admits, was a beacon of hope for him.
Fast forward two months, and @BernhardLanger6 is all set for a comeback. Next week, he’s teeing off at @InsperityInvtnl. His journey back has been nothing short of miraculous. “That lifted my spirits,” Langer said, reflecting on Rodgers’ speedy recovery. It gave him a glimmer of hope, a belief that maybe, just maybe, he could pull off something similar.
For those who live and breathe golf, there’s a newsletter from Golf Monthly you might wanna subscribe to. It’s chock-full of the latest tour news, gear reviews, and expert advice. Despite only recently managing to stand unassisted, Langer’s eyes are set on the prize. He’s not just here to make up the numbers; he’s here to compete. And why not? He believes he’s still got a few good years left in him, plenty of good golf to play.
Langer’s no stranger to making history. He’s the only player to have clinched all five senior Major titles. Last year, he even surpassed Hale Irwin’s win-total record with his 46th title at the US Senior Open. This summer, he’ll turn 67, but age is just a number, right? Langer’s ambition burns as brightly as ever. He’s determined to be the best he can be, convinced he can still compete—and win—on certain golf courses. And who’s to say he can’t? After all, in golf, as in life, it’s all about playing the long game.
