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Augusta (dpa) - Bernhard Langer's message hit his fans right in the heart: Eight days before his beloved Masters, Germany's golf legend was sitting in his living room at home in Boca Raton, Florida, looking back on his successful and eventful life with a serious expression via Instagram.
The beginnings in the Swabian town of Anhausen, his two Masters triumphs in 1985 and 1993, the 41 victories on the US Seniors Tour and his fulfilled family life with now three wonderful grandchildren.
"And this new phase in my life, to be a grandpa now, is great," said the 63-year-old.
"Now is the time ..."
"April, April," joked Langer in a good mood, and so quickly dispelled all fears of an impending end of his career.
"I'm ready for a lot more and I'm far from finished."
The final sentence was then again a clear challenge to the competition.
On Thursday, the willowy veteran tees off for the 38th time at the Masters in Augusta.
Thanks to his two Masters victories, he has a lifelong right to start at the traditional major tournament in the US state of Georgia.
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The time to leave the golf clubs in the garage has not yet come for Langer.
“I've always said that in order to keep playing, three things have to be fulfilled: I have to be healthy.
I have to be successful.
And it has to be fun.
If one or the other of it falls away, the time will come for me to end my career, ”Langer said recently in an interview with the“ Süddeutsche Zeitung ”.
And that is far from the case.
Even if the strength is not as available as it used to be at the age of 63, the senior often steals the show year after year from the much, much younger competition with his unbelievable experience and knowledge of the place.
Whenever Langer steps onto the perfectly manicured par 72 course of the Augusta National Golf Club, something steeped in history is in the air.
Langer also set a record on Magnolia Lane last year: As the oldest player in tournament history, he made the cut - qualifying for the two final rounds at the weekend.
He finished the Masters 17 strokes behind winner Dustin Johnson from the USA on a respectable 29th place.
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At that time, fans could only marvel at Langer's performance due to the coronavirus pandemic on the screen at the unfamiliar November date.
Well, at the usual place in April, at least some spectators should be allowed to return to the beautiful facility - with mask requirements and distance rules.
Langer is not one of the favorites for the attractive green winner's jacket at the 85th Masters.
The experts give the defending champion and number one in the world Dustin Johnson the greatest chance of victory.
His game is “in good shape.
Maybe not as good as it was in November, but I have a feeling it will, ”said the 36-year-old at the press conference before the first major of the year.
Germany's top golfer Martin Kaymer is not in Augusta.
The two-time major winner from Mettmann could not qualify for the Masters this year either.
“It's a bitter feeling.
I will of course watch it on TV, because it might hurt a little more, ”said the 36-year-old in an interview with“ Sportschau ”.
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Superstar and crowd favorite Tiger Woods will also be missing - 20 years after he made history.
As the first and so far only professional golf player, he won all four major tournaments (US Open, British Open, PGA Championship, Masters) one after the other, but spread over the turn of the year 2000/2001.
This is how the “Tiger Slam” was born.
The five-time Masters champion from the USA is currently recovering from his violent car accident in late February.
The golf family misses the 45-year-old.
"The week is not the same without you," tweeted Champion Johnson.
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Official homepage of the 85th Masters
Player profile Bernhard Langer
April Fool's joke by Bernhard Langer on Instagram
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