Could This Be Bernhard Langer’s Masters Grand Finale?
As the 2025 Masters Tournament approaches, legendary German golfer Bernhard Langer has announced that this will be his final appearance at Augusta National. The 67-year-old, who famously won the Masters in both 1985 and 1993, is preparing for what could be a sentimental and emotional farewell. His retirement from this prestigious event marks the conclusion of a remarkable career that has spanned decades.
Langer acknowledged that Augusta’s increasing length and physical demands have become more challenging with age. Reflecting on his journey from a modest village in Germany to global golfing fame, he spoke about the significance of this final chapter. Interestingly, longtime golf analyst and former PGA Tour player Brandel Chamblee, who once doubted Langer’s longevity, now recognizes the German veteran’s enduring strength and determination.
Brandel Chamblee Revisits His Early Doubts
During a conversation on the Fore Play Podcast Plus, Chamblee recalled a specific moment from the 1988 Pensacola Open when he believed Langer’s career was nearing its end. He described watching Langer putt the ball off the green and into a bunker on the ninth hole, prompting him to think that Langer would never return to form. At that time, Chamblee was convinced that Langer’s professional career was over.
However, Langer’s achievements in the years that followed proved those assumptions wrong. Despite injuries, including a torn Achilles tendon that delayed his Augusta farewell by a year, Langer continued to compete at a high level. In 2024, he won the Charles Schwab Cup Championship, further extending his record for the most wins on the PGA Tour Champions. That win underlined his remarkable resilience.
Chamblee has since changed his stance, admitting he wouldn’t bet against Langer now. He marveled at the golfer’s ability to return from injury and continue winning, calling him “a machine.” This reversal highlights the strength of Langer’s character and the unyielding drive that has defined his long career.
Chamblee Also Questions DeChambeau’s Fit at Augusta
While Langer prepares for his last run at Augusta, Chamblee also weighed in on another notable player—Bryson DeChambeau. Despite DeChambeau’s U.S. Open win and well-known physical transformation, Chamblee remains skeptical about his chances at the Masters. He believes DeChambeau’s power-focused approach may not align with Augusta National’s intricate layout, which demands strategy and finesse in addition to strength.
DeChambeau has had mixed results at the Masters, and Chamblee thinks the course still doesn’t suit him well. Though acknowledging DeChambeau’s talent, he stressed that success at Augusta requires more than just distance off the tee.
As the 2025 Masters draws near, all eyes will be on whether DeChambeau can adapt his style to the demands of the course—and whether Bernhard Langer, at 67, can turn back the clock and make one final cut at Augusta, ending his storied career on a high note.