Bernhard Langer Reveals Actual Cause Of Injury That Will See Him Miss Out On Masters Swan Song
The two-time Masters champion was ruled out of a final appearance at Augusta after tearing his Achilles earlier this year - but how he sustained the injury had been a secret until now...
In January, two-time Masters winner Bernhard Langer put out a statement to say that he would be unable to play in his planned Augusta swan song this year after rupturing his Achilles tendon during "training exercises."
It was disappointing news for many people - not least the 66-year-old German - who would have loved to see the most successful member on the PGA Tour Champions tee it up at Augusta National one final time.
His announcement at the time also stated that he would have surgery and therefore miss time playing competitive golf. What it didn't exactly say, however, is what has only recently come to pass as the real reason for said medical intervention.
Speaking to the Musings on Golf podcast earlier this week and first picked up by the Associated Press, the 1985 and 1993 Masters champion shared how he actually sustained the injury.
He said: “I play all sorts of sports to stay fit, and this was part of my fitness regime. I was playing pickleball and somebody was trying to lob me. I did a few steps backward and hit an overhead, and as I landed on the ground with my feet I heard this huge ‘pop,’ very loud, like a gun shot. I knew right away it was a torn Achilles.”
Weeks after successful surgery, Langer shared that he would have the consolation of attending the Champions dinner, where he might be able to share his story alongside a couple of other red-faced stars.
Dustin Johnson famously missed the 2017 Masters after slipping down the stairs of his rental home in Georgia.
Get the Golf Monthly Newsletter
Subscribe to the Golf Monthly newsletter to stay up to date with all the latest tour news, equipment news, reviews, head-to-heads and buyer’s guides from our team of experienced experts.
At the time, Johnson said: "It sucks. I want to play. I'm playing the best golf of my life and to have a freak accident happen yesterday afternoon, it sucks really bad."
Fortunately for the now LIV golfer, he would ease into the custom-fitted green jacket three years later anyway after an imperious display, helped by his free-flowing healthy back.
Other huge names to have suffered untimely injuries in the build up to one of the biggest events include Tony Finau (dislocated ankle during the Masters par-3 contest), Ben Hogan (car crash after Phoenix Open), and Tiger Woods (pair of stress fractures in his left tibia prior to winning 2008 US Open).
Shifting focus back to Langer, the 66-year-old plans to return to playing golf in May. He might leave pickleball for a while, though.
Jonny Leighfield is our Staff News Writer who joined Golf Monthly just in time for the 2023 Solheim Cup and Ryder Cup. He graduated from the University of Brighton with a degree in Sport Journalism in 2017 and spent almost five years as the sole sports reporter at his local newspaper. An improving golfer who still classes himself as ‘one of the worst players on the Golf Monthly team’, Jonny enjoys playing as much as he can and is hoping to reach his Handicap goal of 18 at some stage. He attended both the 150th and 151st Opens and is keen to make it an annual pilgrimage.
-
LIV Golf's Henrik Stenson Wins Car For A Fan At Port Adelaide Aussie Rules Match
The Majesticks GC co-captain completed a golfing challenge during Port Adelaide's home game against St Kilda
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
Making The Cut's Not Enough - LET Pro Details How Finishing Outside Of The Top-25 Can Actually See Players LOSE Money
Hannah Gregg has described how even making the cut can see her lose money for a tournament week due to the worrying lack of prize funds on the LET
By Paul Higham Published
-
Scheffler The New Tiger? Time For Woods To Say Goodbye? 10 Takeaways From The 2024 Masters
We highlight ten of the key stories to come from the 88th edition of the Masters
By Michael Weston Published
-
Tommy Fleetwood Banks Huge Sum For Local Augusta Caddie After Englishman's Best Masters Result
Gray Moore is a former Augusta National caddie master who was helping Fleetwood out after his regular caddie Ian Finnis was forced to stay home
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
Eight Masters Contenders In The Field For This Week's $20 Million RBC Heritage
There's no respite for the world's elite as, following the Masters, the PGA Tour circuit moves to Harbour Town and the RBC Heritage
By Matt Cradock Published
-
How Social Media Reacted To Scottie Scheffler's Second Masters Victory
Social media was awash with fans, legends, and brands congratulating Scheffler over his second Masters win in three years
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
Masters Runner-Up Ludvig Aberg Has Major Ambitions (And World No.1 Goal)
The Swede sensation is targeting Major glory after pushing World No.1 Scottie Scheffler all the way at Augusta
By Michael Weston Published
-
'My Identity Is Secure Forever' - Scottie Scheffler's Mindset Provides The Fuel To Secure A Second Green Jacket
Scheffler's second Masters win came with his first child due in a matter of weeks. His mindset off the course is clearly helping him do great things on it.
By Dan Parker Published
-
The Internet's Best Reactions To Tiger Woods Appearing To Shake Hands With A Tree
The perfect camera angle, the perfect meme. Here's the internet's best reactions to Tiger's unusual handshake
By Dan Parker Published
-
Scottie Scheffler’s Caddie Ted Scott Has Now Won The Masters Four Times
After victories in 2012 and 2014, Ted Scott has now picked up Masters wins with Scottie Scheffler in 2022 and 2024!
By Matt Cradock Published