Bernhard Langer tears achilles, would-be final Masters start in doubt

Bernhard Langer announced he’ll miss extended time due to an achilles injury, and now the two-time Masters champ’s final start at Augusta National is in question.

Langer, the 66-year-old World Golf Hall-of-Famer, released a statement via the PGA Tour on Friday, saying that he tore his achilles tendon during a training exercise on Thursday in Boca Raton, Fla.

“I will have surgery [Friday] to repair the injury, which will cause me to miss time playing competitive golf as I recover,” the statement read. “Throughout my career, faith and family have been my bedrocks, providing me strength and guiding me through difficult times. I will lean on both as I work towards a return to competition.

“I appreciate everyone’s support during this time, and I look forward to seeing the fans and my fellow competitors back on the course soon.”

It was two weeks ago when Langer said the 2024 Masters would be his last, setting the stage for a fitting farewell at Augusta National come April. He’s played in 40 Masters in his career — debuting in 1983 — and made the cut 27 times with nine top 10s. He won in 1985 and 1993 — his only two major titles — and turned back the clock in 2014, tying for 8th at age 57. He even entered the final round two shots back in 2016, playing from the penultimate pairing. In 2020, at age 63, he became the oldest player ever to make the Masters cut, eventually tying for 29th.

Langer’s January announcement set the stage for a special Augusta National sendoff, but now it’s unclear when he will be able to play again. While the severity of his achilles tear is unknown, recovery time differs. Usually, it requires six to 12 weeks in a cast or walking boot, but a full recovery can take several months. Langer opened the season two weeks ago in Hawaii, tying for 22nd.

The 2024 Masters is just over two months away, on April 11-14 in Augusta, Ga.