Just one phrase can describe what Bernhard Langer did on Sunday on the Phoenix Nation Membership:
Wow.
The 67-year-old Langer, who ruptured his Achilles in February, drained a 40-footer for birdie on the 18th gap to eclipse Steven Alker and Richard Inexperienced by a stroke on the Charles Schwab Cup Championship. He closed it in type, capturing his forty seventh profession victory on the PGA Tour Champions. It’s also the 18th straight season Langer received on the senior circuit.
“Yeah, unimaginable, simply unimaginable. He simply defies something; he’s a fully unimaginable golfer,” stated Ernie Els of Langer after.
“The golf course is taking part in very properly. It’s very suited to his sport. It’s not taking part in overly lengthy, and you need to hit it within the fairway to get to the greens. And he’s placing nice it looks like. I simply noticed some highlights in there, he’s making lengthy putts. Only a fantastic participant and an exquisite asset to our sport.”
For the third straight day, Langer shot his age. He carded a 5-under 66 on Sunday, but it surely didn’t come simple. He carded a preposterous six birdies on the entrance to exit with a 6-under 30, and a Langer victory seemed all however assured. However then he came upon the back-nine, making three bogies, with none extra consequential than his dropped shot on the par-4 seventeenth. Langer rifled his second shot off of a tree and was fortunate to flee with solely a bogey. In the meantime, Alker, his taking part in associate who went on to win the season-long Charles Schwab Cup, made a birdie, thus tying Langer at 17-under with one gap to play.
After which, Langer did the unbelievable on the 18th, capping off an injury-plagued season that had loads of ups and downs.
“I’m speechless. Was that thrilling or what? To start out forward was simply unimaginable, I used to be completely within the zone,” Langer stated.
“Performed good after which bought somewhat unraveled there on the again 9, and Steven Alker bought going. I didn’t see any of Richard Inexperienced’s. Clearly, he will need to have performed implausible on the again 9, too. Terry, my caddie, after we hit the wedge [on 18], says, ‘Nicely, it’s yet one more putt.’”
Langer started the day with a one-shot lead at a event that he didn’t even assume he would even qualify for earlier this summer time. Solely the highest 36 gamers within the Charles Schwab Cup standings make it to Phoneix for the finale, and Langer, regardless of his damage, made it with ease. He finally completed seventh within the remaining standings.
“It’s unbelievable, I can’t describe it,” Langer added.
“To win this massive event after what I’ve been by way of and to make it 17, possibly 18 years in a row out right here as a result of I received once I solely performed 5 tournaments, it’s fairly superb. I’m very grateful, very blessed. Wish to thank the Lord for all that he’s completed for me.”
Jack Milko is a golf employees author for SB Nation’s Enjoying By. You should definitely take a look at @_PlayingThrough for extra golf protection. You may comply with him on Twitter @jack_milko as properly.