“Who does that?” Although Rocco Mediate says he is not surprised by anything that Bernhard Langer does, his words betray the awe that’s yet to wear off. What Langer pulled off less than 48 hours ago is yet to register fully with those who watched it closely. The German International, 67, notched his 47th PGA Tour Champions victory and a first at Phoenix. Thanks to a colossal 35-footer for a birdie on the 72nd hole in regulation. 

Call it a killer instinct. 

Or, Deus ex Machina. 

Call it whatever you will. 

Langer’s feat has propelled him to glory in his late stage that eluded the man from Bavaria in his prime. But Langer’s frequent rendezvous with injuries—some debilitating enough to potentially ruin his career—brings another player to mind. Tiger Woods has faced injuries multiple times in his three-decade-long career. 

By no means is the near-fatal car crash equivalent to what Bernhard Langer went through early this year. But a torn ligament for a 67-year-old meant we probably had seen the last of Langer on the greens. There was a slight chance the German would never recover fully to resuscitate his dominance. 

Well, he proved all wrong (this writer included). Bernhard Langer had knocked off seven top-tens since his shocking return in May. A victory at Phoenix Country Club was long overdue. The two-time Masters champion had six Charles Schwab Cups before. But never did he manage a victory at the season finale. Until November 10, 2024.

Mediate continued in The Rocco Hour at the SiriusXM/PGA Tour Radio, “Nothing Bernhard does surprise us. He is like our Tiger [Woods], just telling you. He does the same thing. He doesn’t have the explosiveness. He wins everything… he wins a lot.”

Sure, Langer does. But even when he isn’t, the German is lurking near the top. His 47 victories are complemented by nine runner-ups and eight third-place finishes. The 12 senior majors are by far the best anyone has ever managed. So far, Woods’s post-injury career hasn’t touched the high ceiling as Langer’s. Rather, it’s been somewhat the opposite.

Unlike Bernhard Langer, Woods has faced calls for retirement

Since limping out of Augusta National last year, Woods has played in only four full competitive tournaments, making the cut in only one. However, at the Masters, it was clear that Woods’s body doesn’t brace the ambitions of his mind. The 15-time major winner labored his way through four rounds, carding 16-over after Sunday. 

Calls for retirement have been hurled in his way. Woods, though, swatted them with the swiftness of a 9-iron. Bernhard Langer’s case has been the opposite. He is just three years away from being called a septuagenarian. Yet, very few would ask him to retire. 

But Langer would call it a day. “When I feel like I’m going to finish in the bottom third of the field every week I compete, then it’s probably time to quit. Hopefully, I will know when that is,” said the two-time Masters champion. Next year’s trip to Augusta will be the last you will see the German as a competitor in the Masters.

Woods, meanwhile, will be 49 by then. He has recently undergone his sixth back surgery. The 15-time major champion has plans to join the senior tour when he turns 50. An obvious comparison with Langer will follow. It remains to be seen if Tiger Woods can block the torrent of criticism then and turn the tide in his favor.