Winning remains timeless, much like Bernhard Langer himself.
During a year rich in exceptional achievements in the golfing world—highlighted by Scottie Scheffler’s remarkable dominance echoing Tiger Woods’ glory, Xander Schauffele’s two major championship victories, Nelly Korda matching an LPGA record with five consecutive wins, and Lydia Ko’s induction into the LPGA Hall of Fame with her Olympic gold—Langer capped off his season with an accomplishment that stands tall amongst them all.
At 67 years old, Langer faced a challenging season, landing in the Charles Schwab Cup Championship at the Phoenix Country Club without a single victory. This marked his first winless year since he began competing on the PGA Tour Champions circuit in 2007. Throughout the tournament, he struggled on a course where he had never formerly finished within five strokes of the leader.
On the 18th green, caddie Terry Holt encouraged Langer, saying, “One more putt.” Langer seized the moment by sinking an impressive 30-foot birdie, concluding the day with a score of 66—his third consecutive round of shooting at or below his age—securing a one-stroke victory.
This achievement signifies 18 straight years with at least one win on the PGA Tour Champions, a league where aging competitors face significant challenges. In this environment, where older players often see their skills wane as younger talent emerges, such a record is unparalleled.
To put Langer’s achievement into perspective, in 2007—when he joined the PGA Tour Champions—Padraig Harrington claimed his first major title. On Sunday, Langer surpassed Harrington by a staggering ten strokes.
The record for consecutive years with a win on the PGA Tour is 17, a feat held by legends Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus, who respectively encountered their streaks ending in their 40s, rather than nearing 70.
Mark O’Meara, who finished second to Langer during the German’s initial Champions victory in 2007, remarked, “The commitment, dedication, and desire to compete at a high level is astonishing.” He added that while one can appreciate the accomplishments of legends like Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus, and Arnold Palmer, what Langer has accomplished over 18 years is truly amazing. O’Meara doubted any future player would match this record.
Langer’s accomplishment stands among golf’s most formidable records, second only to Byron Nelson’s 11 consecutive wins on the PGA Tour in 1945, and likely even more impressive than Woods’ achievement of making 142 consecutive cuts over a span of seven years.
Langer set the record for being the oldest winner on the PGA Tour Champions when he won at age 64 in 2021; he has since shattered this record multiple times, including the latest during his recent victory. He faced personal challenges this year as well, having recovered from a torn left Achilles tendon sustained while playing pickleball, which caused him to miss three months of competition. Remarkably, Langer returned to win after such a significant injury, showcasing his determination and resilience.
With an established record of 46 career wins on the Tour—breaking Hale Irwin’s long-held 45 wins—Langer faced the pressure in Phoenix. Knowing this was likely his last opportunity of the season, he performed outstandingly. After starting the final round with five birdies in his first six holes, he found himself tied for the lead with Steven Alker by the final hole.
Despite being in a challenging position, he managed to punch out from the trees, set up a wedge shot to 30 feet, and then delivered a remarkable putt that danced into the cup just right. His raw emotion during the moment reflected the significance of this victory, rare in a player with such a storied career.
How has Langer maintained his success? This question has been posed numerous times over the last several years, especially since most golfers transitioning to the PGA Tour Champions typically peak within their first eight years, rather than extending their success to 18 years.
Interestingly, this marks the second time in Langer’s career where he has achieved 18 consecutive years of triumph. His first stretch occurred in 1980 while on the European tour. The journey saw Langer achieve remarkable victories, including the German Masters, which he won at age 50 in 1997 before his streak ceased the subsequent year.
Langer’s longevity and achievements are made all the more remarkable by the effort he has invested throughout his career. Even at 50 and beyond, he has pushed through physical limitations to remain competitive year after year.
Curtis Strange noted, “You can still work, but are you living it like you used to? We can all beat balls, but can you commit to competing 25 times a year?” His admiration for Langer’s success is clear, and he recognizes the extraordinary nature of what Langer has accomplished.
With his latest win, Langer looks toward the future. “People ask why I continue to play,” he shared. “This is why.” After claiming his 47th trophy, alongside his two Masters titles and 40 victories in Europe, Langer affirmed his love for the thrill of competition.
“I still believe I can win and be in contention,” he stated. “This achievement only proves that again.” For Langer, the sport remains invigorating—after all, it truly never gets old.