11 April 2024 , 03:00
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Bernhard Langer will have to wait to make his final Augusta appearance. On Monday, Langer, the 66-year-old two-time Masters champion, revealed that he will be focusing on the 2025 edition of the prestigious event for his final appearance after shelving his plans to compete in 2024.
However, Langers' appearance is all dependent on how his recovery from his torn Achilles. The German tore his Achilles while playing pickleball and is currently rehabbing, with no setbacks.
"Most likely," Langer when asked if the 2025 Masters would be his last appearance, per Reuters. "I hope so, but it all depends how the recovery is going.
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"Recovery [so far] is going great. Should be back in action in another two months or so." Over the years, the German has played in 40 iterations of the Masters - winning in 1985 and 1993 - been a member of 10 European Ryder Cup teams, and has amassed over 60 worldwide wins.
He also finished as the runner-up at The Open in 1981 and 1984. Overall the German has been competing on the PGA Tour Champions since 2007 and has won 13 championships, more than anyone in senior tour history.
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Despite how successful he had been in the senior circuit, Langer told NBC before the start of the 2024 senior tour that he would be "retiring" from the Masters. "It's going to be my last Masters this year, so I've already decided on that," Langer said in January. "Probably will be my last US Open, too, unless, I don't know, some miracle happens in the future."
Bernhard Langer announced his intention to play in The Masters earlier this year but his comeback will have to wait (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)Additionally, Langer understands that he will be playing at a disadvantage because of his age. However, he wanted to prove that he could still compete, even with the factors playing against him and going up against the best golfers with some being almost 30 years his junior,
"It's exciting, but at the same time, I'm aware that I'm going to be hitting 3-irons and 20hybrids when the guys are hitting 9-irons into the green, and that's to compete against," Langer continued. "But's a challenge, and I usually don't shy away from challenges."
Of note, only seven players have won the Masters more than Langers: Tiger Woods (five), Arnold Palmer (four), with Gary Player, Jimmy Demaret, Nick Faldo, Phil Mickelson and Sam Snead winning three a piece. With his age and what he is trying to accomplish, Langer also acknowledged that his time as a professional could be coming to an end.
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"I asked the chairman several years ago," Langers added. "I said, 'Is there an age limit? When do you tell people to stop playing? He said, 'Listen, Bernhard, you will know yourself when it's time to stop,' and I hope he's right. I don't want to make a fool of myself."
With Langers calling the 2025 Masters his final go, it appears as if the German knows when his time to stop is. For now, the 66-year-old will have an entire year to rehabilitate from Achilles tear to show what he can do at his advanced age and remind his peers he can still compete.