Having answered seemingly every question asked of him across a uniquely successful golf career, there may only one more question left for 65-year old Bernhard Langer to answer:
What’s left to accomplish?
Langer’s two-stroke victory in the U.S. Senior Open on Sunday at SentryWorld Golf Course in Stevens Point, Wisconsin, was the 46th win of his senior career, breaking a tie with Hale Irwin for the most triumphs in PGA Tour Champions history.
Not bad for a guy who was elected to the World Golf Hall of Fame before he started playing senior golf.
“It's been very difficult ever since I won my 45th in Naples in February and I tied Hale Irwin's record,” Langer said. “Everybody keeps talking. Wherever I play, people couple up and say, make this your 46th. Make history here. It's hard to get away from it.
“I did very well and was able to block it out and try to stay in the present. I really felt at peace today, which we don't always do.”
It’s one more achievement in a career lit up with victories like a Saturday night on Broadway.
Consider:
Langer has won 12 senior major championships, including two U.S. Senior Opens, and is the only player to win all five senior majors;
The native German won 42 times on the European Tour. Though he won just three times on the PGA Tour, two of those were Masters victories.
In all, Langer has more than 100 worldwide victories, pretty good for a guy whose career was nearly curtailed by the putting yips years ago.
Never the longest or straightest hitter nor the best putter, Langer has succeeded by being perhaps the most dogged competitor in golf, relying on his understanding of his game and himself to build an unmatched career.
What might have been an especially difficult day for Langer – trying to maintain his lead over crowd favorites Jerry Kelly and Steve Stricker playing near their Wisconsin homes – turned into another demonstration of his sustained brilliance.
Starting the final round with a two-stroke lead over Kelly, Langer birdied his first two holes and led by five shots going to the third tee.
The fast start allowed Langer to bogey the last three holes and still have room to spare over Stricker. Langer signed for a 1-under 70 and a 7-under 277 total.
“He's a world-class player for so many decades now. Not years, decades,” Alex Čejka said. “I learn every time, no matter if I'm playing with him or if I play a practice round with him, there's always something where I'm like, ‘Hmm, why didn't I think of that?’ You know what I mean? I guess that's what makes him extra special. Not special, but extra special.”
“To say it's inspirational would be an understatement. To follow his career my whole life and to see what he's done is just absolutely amazing. (He’s) 65 and not even flinching,” Brett Quigley said.
As for whether Langer is ready to slow down, it doesn’t sound like it.
“It all depends if I'm staying healthy or not. There are a lot more aches and pains than 10 years ago,” Langer said.
“I still enjoy the game. If I play like I did this week, I'm going to keep playing.”
Ron Green Jr.