It’s 30 years now since Bernhard Langer became golf’s first official world No 1. Three decades on, this auld yin from Anhausen, who remains as efficient as the German rail network, is still a force to be reckoned with.
At a sprightly 58, Langer’s consistency and competitive instincts set him apart on the lucrative golden oldies circuit that is the Champions Tour. At the last count it was 26 title triumphs among the over-50s. And there will no doubt be more to come.
In July, Langer will return to Carnoustie, the robust Angus links where, in 2010, he won his first major among the veterans in the Senior Open. During his pomp on the regular tour, Langer just missed out on the real Claret Jug with runners-up finishes in the Opens of 1981 and 1984. “The Senior Open was the next best thing,” he reflected. “I know it’s not the Open but I still beat a lot of great champions, a lot of legends on a very tough championship course.”
A couple of weeks ago, the bold Bernhard was in with a chance of winning the Masters for a third time after 54-holes and proved once again that this Royal & Ancient pursuit truly is a game for all the ages. A player over the age of 50 winning a major may be golf’s equivalent of finding life on Mars but Langer still maintains it is a possibility that is far from alien.
“It’s still feasible and in the Open more so than some of the other majors,” suggested Langer, whose vast list of wins includes success in the Dear Green Place during the 1983 Glasgow Classic at Haggs Castle. “In general, the US Open is long. They make par-fives into par-fours, it’s more of a distance game. Augusta has become long too and players have a huge advantage if they drive it long. In the Open, though, there are venues that are still long but you are battling the elements and you can bounce the ball in. A lot of these young guys don’t shape the ball these days. They hit it right up in the air and land it softly. That’s not what you need to do at most Open venues. That is the best chance for an over-50 to win.”
In a glory-laden career, Langer has experienced all the giddy highs and sobering lows that are par for the course in this topsy-turvy game. From major success to a bout of the dreaded putting yips, he has dealt with it all in his usual calm, considered way.
Finding a putting stroke that works is liking finding the Holy Grail … only a bit harder. For almost 20 years, Langer used the long putter anchored to his body to profitable effect but since the golfing powers-that-be banned that method of stroke as of January 1 2016, the former Ryder Cup player and captain has had to adapt. It’s a ruling which Langer still does not agree with.
“Most people don’t understand why they did it,” he said. “It doesn’t make a lot of sense. If it’s so much easier to anchor a putter then everybody would do it. Golf is a numbers game and if people can win tournaments or lower their handicap by anchoring then they will. Only 10 to 15 percent of players used anchored putters. There are so many arguments that make no sense. We all use the big headed driver because it’s a clear advantage. Nobody is using Persimmons or steel shafted drivers anymore because it’s a disadvantage. If people see an advantage they will go to it. Anchoring is just a different way of putting. You still have to read the putt, you still have to handle nerves, you still have to put a stroke on it. You have to do all these things to get the ball in the hole. It doesn’t mean because you’re anchoring it’s going to go in itself.”
Golf continues to be the game that keeps giving for Langer, though. “I’ve been very blessed and have done a number of great things,” he added. “You go through life one goal at a time and they were all very important. I remember winning my first German Open and it was monumental. Even now, the goals don’t change. It is still to get better and to keep winning.”
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