Bernhard Langer doesn’t usually get caught up in talking about his injuries, but after winning the PNC Championship, he couldn’t help but get a little real about his recovery. And this time, it wasn’t just about his own struggle—it was about Tiger Woods, too.

Langer’s been dealing with his own battle this year. After an Achilles injury took him off the course for three months, he couldn’t even walk properly. And let’s be honest when you’re used to being active and suddenly can’t do the thing you love, it’s not just tough on your body; it messes with your mind, too. Langer said it himself, “the first few weeks were pretty grim.”

After months of recovery, he’s back out on the course. He’s walking again, but it’s still a bit of a struggle. “The back nine, I could feel it,” he admitted after the tournament. He’s not quite back to 100%, but he’s getting there. And well, this limited mobility has given him a new perspective on Woods. It’s one thing to read about someone’s injury and recovery. It’s another thing to experience it yourself.

When Langer was asked if this injury gave him a new appreciation for what Woods has been through, his answer was quick. “I can’t even imagine what he’s been through.”

It’s not like Langer doesn’t know pain. He’s had his own issues with back pain over the years—stress fractures, and bulging discs. If you’ve ever dealt with back problems, you know it’s not something that just goes away. And yet, Langer says, “I know the pain. Back pain is some of the worst, maybe together with tooth pain.”

That’s when he got real about the 15x major winner. Woods has had a tough year, going through his sixth back surgery in September 2024. It’s been a rough decade for him—surgery after surgery, trying to get his body back in shape. He’s been dealing with constant pain and spasms for most of 2024, and this latest surgery was supposed to help with that.

Langer clearly has a lot of respect for Woods’ ability to keep going despite everything he’s been through. “He’s been through a lot, and just thrilled he’s working, rehabbing hard,” Langer said. “I want to stay somewhat fit and play a few more years so I can keep up with Charlie.”

At 67, Langer’s not slowing down. He’s hoping to be back to walking courses again next year, but, for now, he has a new appreciation for Woods. When you’ve walked even a few miles in someone’s shoes, it’s impossible not to respect their journey.

Amidst Tiger Woods’s fitness issues, Langer is in for the long haul

When it comes to Langer, though, it’s not just about enduring the tough times—it’s about the long game. At his age, Langer is still playing strong, and it just shows how resilient he is and how much he still loves the game. His passion’s still going strong after all these years, and he’s made it clear that he’s not going anywhere, anytime soon.

When asked about what keeps him motivated, Langer’s answer is straightforward: “Yeah, it’s never been an issue really. People asked me 20 years how long will you play? I always said as long as I’m healthy and I’m having fun and I’m playing well.” And it’s easy to see why that attitude has kept him going for so long.

But Langer’s not blind to the fact that there could be a time when it’s not as much fun, or he feels he’s not competing at the level he’s used to. He’s honest about it: “If I ever reached a point where I felt I had no chance of competing, consistently finishing in the lower ranks, I might consider stepping back or playing less.”

For now, though, Langer’s taking it one year at a time, still enjoying the ride and seeing how things feel as he moves forward. And with that, it’s clear that Langer’s still in it for the long haul—just like Woods, finding a way to keep going, no matter what comes his way.