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USA Today via Reuters

USA Today via Reuters

Bernhard Langer is motivated! He started his 2024 campaign by participating in the Mitsubishi Electric Championship in January, where he finished at T22. Things took a turn as he broke his Achilles tendon while playing pickleball during a training exercise at Boca Raton. The 66-year-old golfer explained, “I heard this huge ‘pop,’ very loud, like a gunshot. I knew right away it was a torn Achilles.” The very next day, he opted for surgery. Though he wanted to participate on golf’s grandest stage at Augusta National, marking his farewell, he sadly could not. During his recovery phase, he missed approximately 3.5 months on the PGA Tour. However, his resilience is not something that can be easily broken.

Although Langer was not playing professionally for some time, he was not away from the course. Merely two months after his operation, he was back on the course, chipping and putting. Maybe one can say that he was getting ready to come back to the professional greens. For his comeback, he played in the Insperity Invitational and finished at T31. For somebody who was coming back from a broken Achilles tendon at his age, the golfer seemed to have been doing great. At The Tradition, Langer finished in a marvelous eighth position. Right now, he is playing at Harbor Shores GC and has stunned everyone with his resilience. 

Talking about his comeback, the golf veteran said, “I’ve surprised myself a bit. The funny thing is that I can play golf, but I can’t walk. I am just happy to be back out competing.” After the first round at the Senior PGA Championship, the golfer disclosed that he did not want to engage in any bad habits, such as favoring his strong leg more than the operated one. The golfer then revealed that he called up his coach for assistance on his swing. The 66-year-old said, “I’d rather not practice than practice anything wrong.” The coach was impressed too, and he gave his nod to the golfer and said, “You can do it.”

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Langer is overcoming the odds by competing with determination despite his injury. He demonstrates that with zeal, you can achieve anything, providing an inspiring lesson for the new generation of golfers. Many golf fans have shown their support and motivation on social media for the veteran golfer. 

Fans show admiration for Bernhard Langer

Fans have praised the 66-year-old golfer on social media, highlighting his professionalism and relationships with other golfers. One fan commented, “What a classy gentleman I notice his peers admire and respect him immensely.” Langer’s fellow golfers find him to be a guy with worldly interests, and the one with a knack for jokes. As per Alex Cejka, “He’s been always a fit guy; I’ve known him for so many years, and his work ethic is just incredible. He’s a hard grinder, and when you don’t see him on the driving range, he’s on the treadmill.”

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Langer’s actions and interactions with fans have left a long-lasting impression. One person remembered a moment from the Masters in 1991 when Langer tossed them a golf ball., “Glad to see Bernard back at it. I’ll never forget when he tossed me a golf ball at the Masters circa 1991. 🙌” Such gestures connect deeply with fans, strengthening Langer’s status as a beloved figure in golf. A similar incident took place at this year’s PGA Championship when Bryson DeChambeau threw his golf ball to a young guy, and when an older person took him, the golfer made sure that the young lad got it back. 

Another fan praised Langer’s incredible determination, “If this man doesn’t inspire you to keep pushing and getting better you should quit golfing!!”  At the age of 66, it is very difficult for any athlete to make such an impressive return to the sport in just 3-4 months, but Langer did it as he seems to love what he does, and holds fitness very highly. 

Acknowledging his impressive skill and ability to maintain a graceful and effective swing even as he gets older, a fan said, “How far does he hit or these days? That’s an effortless looking swing.” The golfer revealed how he worked on the swing with his coach, and it seemed to have done wonders! 

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Praising the golfer, one fan said, “He is the man and for the first time I like his outfit🤙🏼” showing admiration and respect for Langer, and his choice of apparel. Lately, offbeat outfits have become a trend in golf with golfers like Jason Day, and Viktor Hovland wearing unconventional outfits, and fans trolling him. Even Tiger Woods’s SDR apparel line was trolled by the fans. 

The legend will be aiming for a strong show in Michigan. Fans and the golfing community continue to watch how he overcame challenges and achieved success on the course. What do you think of the legend? Tell us in the comments.