For Bernhard Langer, age is in the numbers
Join the Club by John Patrick
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I’ve played golf for more than 50 years. There was a time when my game got better with age. These are not those times. Now in my 60s, I’ve noticed that my game is diminishing with each passing year. Many of the friends I play with are in their 70s and I’m watching their games diminish too.
Which brings me to Bernhard Langer. I guess his game has diminished some as he’s gotten older, but don’t try to convince his fellow PGA Tour Champions Tour competitors. Over the weekend, Bernard won his 47th event on that tour. Continuing his relentless quest to win, he has finished first on that tour more than anyone ever has. He has now won two more than the previous leader, Hale Irwin. Bernhard’s win at the Charles Schwab Cup Championship was his first win this season and marks his 18th consecutive season on that tour with at least one victory.
Did I mention he won by shooting a pair of 67s over the weekend? Oh, did I mention that Bernhard is 67 years old? Shooting your age is something special in the game, usually reserved for folks in their upper 70s. This is the 22nd time Bernhard has shot his age or better on tour. I think I’ve just written about three records that will never be approached.
Because his accomplishments on the course aren’t enough, Bernhard tore his Achilles tendon in the spring. It forced the two-time Masters winner to miss what he announced would be his final competitive Masters. My guess, he won’t say goodbye to the Masters without saying goodbye. I fully expect him to be on the first tee next April.
The tournament win over the weekend was his 124th. Another number in an extraordinary career dominated by numbers. He is a very serious, faith-based individual who has admitted that even he thinks some of his accomplishments are unbelievable, and for that, he feels blessed and grateful.
The same feelings we’ve had watching him all these years.