Bernhard Langer---what a player!!

[PEZGolf]

Congratulations to last year's "Rookie of the Year":

Langer back in familiar position: winner's circle
By Associated Press
KAUPULEHU-KONA, Hawaii – Bernhard Langer won the Champions Tour’s season-opening Mitsubishi Electric Championship on Sunday, closing with a 4-under 68 for a one-stroke victory over Andy Bean.

Langer, the 2008 Player and Rookie of the Year, had an 18-under 198 total to get his sophomore campaign off to a strong start and earn his fifth title in his 26th start on the 50-and-over circuit.


He was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2002, and deservedly so:

World Golf Hall of Fame Profile: Bernhard Langer

By achieving international fame and fortune on the professional circuits of the world, Bernhard Langer lifted golf from obscurity in his native Germany. Langer was a trailblazer in his native land, where there was only one public course and 130,000 golfers. Both figures have grown tremendously due to Langer's presence.

One of the most remarkably consistent and resilient professionals, Langer routinely conquered adversity in the form of the putting "yips" to reach the top, and he still remains in the upper echelon of the game today.

I still remember when he missed "THE putt" at Kiawah to allow the US to win in 1991, and came back the next week to win a tournament in Europe!! Talk about "shaking it off"!!

[Range King]

THIS putt was in the news, even golf was not existing in Germany at the time.
But also his wins at the Masters.

(I think the golf news did not even run under the sports section, but rather under misc, along with space travel and such...)

Congrats Bernhard!
Keep on winning, and bring the 2018 Ryder Cup to Germany!

[PEZGolf]

THIS putt was in the news, even golf was not existing in Germany at the time.

When I went to the practice round of the 1990 United States Open at Medinah (near Chicago), I taped Bernhard's swing a number of times on the practice range with my camcorder. He was so consistent and hit the ball so solidly. I still have that tape and view it from time to time. He is quiet, and does not receive a great deal of publicity, but, in my opinion, he is one of the Great of the Present Age! Did he and his partner not win the World Cup for Germany a few years back?

[Range King]

Yes, 2006 and 1990.

[PiKapp23]

He's one of the most boring golfers of all time. He hits fairways and greens and when faced with a difficult shot he usually takes the safe route or lays up. But he still wins. Had he been more consistent with the putter throughout his career it's hard to tell how often he might have won on tour.

This is a great lesson for many of the younger professional players, as well as for most amateurs. It's proof that 'smart' golf works. He's kind of the 'Anti-Phil".

Another interesting thing about him is how his public persona became a little looser as he got older. In old interviews he shows very little personality, but he's gotten much better as he's gotten older (maybe language was an issue before). I have enjoyed watching him play with his son Stefan in the annual Father-Son Challenge because he almost looks like he's having fun. That's definitely not the public perception of him back in the 80s/90s.

[kafka01]

Was rooting for him yesterday - congrats to the victory! Since its not too common to see a fellow countryman winning international events in golf (yet), i´m always delighted to actually see it happen.

Since our club has anniversary this year, i really hope he finds time to do a clinic or something similar, like he did in the past, to actually meet him in person.

[PEZGolf]

He's one of the most boring golfers of all time. He hits fairways and greens and when faced with a difficult shot he usually takes the safe route or lays up. But he still wins. Had he been more consistent with the putter throughout his career it's hard to tell how often he might have won on tour.

You are right. Bernhard has become more outgoing, and his interviews are more fun to listen to. I like the guy. If I remember correctly, he started working as a golf pro at the age of 15, and the rest is history.

[RandallT]

Jim Gallagher of Golf Channel just said that Bernard Langer has competed in 139 events on the Champions Tour. 129 top 25 finishes!!! 96 top 10s 21 wins What a player. How's this post for digging up an old thread.

[joekelly]

Langer started working as a golf pro at age 15?  That is a young age for a pro, but  old for a top-flight student of golf.  Now i gotta wonder just what is the precise meaning of 'golf pro'.

[Abu3baid]

Jim Gallagher of Golf Channel just said that Bernard Langer has competed in 139 events on the Champions Tour. 129 top 25 finishes!!! 96 top 10s 21 wins What a player. How's this post for digging up an old thread.

Those are impressive numbers by any standard!

[RandallT]

Bernard is at -11 at the Senior Open Championship after his 2nd round. Closest challenger is at -4. One of those has finished his 2nd round , the other on the course. Only 6 other players are under par at all. Median score is probably around +6, so it's looking like Langer continues to roll.

[Chilli Dipper]

I just caught the leaderboard of the Senior British Open on TV. Langer's at -16; second place is at -3, and that's Colin Mongomerie and Tom Watson. Good lord! And we thought that Rory was dominating last week...

[ChrisP]

I think if Bernhard played the PGA Tour on a regular basis, he'd be something of a Jim Furyk...maybe not as consistent as Jim, but showing up on leaderboard and collecting top-10 finishes here and there. He played at Augusta and finished T-8 there. He'd do well on some of the shorter layouts where it's more about precision golf than power golf.

[RandallT]

Jimenez played the Senior Open too, and he regularly does well inPGA/Euro events. Bernard beat him easily. Golf Channel has teased a few times today that Bernhard should be considered for the Euro Ryder Cup team. 18 under par and a 13 stroke lead is quite a statement, regardless of whether anyone will actually consider that.

[ChrisP]

Jimenez played the Senior Open too, and he regularly does well inPGA/Euro events. Bernard beat him easily.

Golf Channel has teased a few times today that Bernhard should be considered for the Euro Ryder Cup team. 18 under par and a 13 stroke lead is quite a statement, regardless of whether anyone will actually consider that.

If Bernhard wanted to be considered for the Ryder Cup team, he would play more PGA and Euro events. I don't think he should be a pick based on what he's doing on the Champions Tour. Going up against those guys and then going head to head against Bubba Watson, Matt Kuchar and Zach Johnson is a different animal.

[MSchott]

If Bernhard wanted to be considered for the Ryder Cup team, he would play more PGA and Euro events. I don't think he should be a pick based on what he's doing on the Champions Tour. Going up against those guys and then going head to head against Bubba Watson, Matt Kuchar and Zach Johnson is a different animal.

I don't know much about the back end of the potential European team but I doubt they are much better than Langer based on how well he's playing now. And you cannot beat experience.

[ChrisP]

I don't know much about the back end of the potential European team but I doubt they are much better than Langer based on how well he's playing now. And you cannot beat experience.

Well he'd have to be a Captain's pick and barring a miracle, 2 of those captain's picks will be used on McDowell and Poulter. That leaves Langer having to be picked over Westwood, Jiminez and Molinari. Given how poorly Westwood's played of late and Jiminez' slump, he may have a chance of being considered over them. I'm not sure if he'd be picked over Molinari, though. He's had a solid year. I'd love to see it, though.