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Bernhard Langer: Golf
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By achieving international fame and fortune on the professional circuits of the world, Bernhard Langer lifted golf from obscurity in his native Germany. Langer was a trailblazer in his native land, where there was only one public course and 130,000 golfers. Both figures have grown tremendously due to Langer's presence.
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Bernhard is one of the most consistent and resilient professionals in golf. Conquered adversity in the form of the putting 'yips' to reach the top, and has stayed in the top echelons of the game for over 20 years. Since 1980, he has only been out the top 30 in the Volvo Order of Merit once in 1996. Bernhard's Czech-born father settled in Bavaria after jumping a Russian prisoner-of-war train bound for Siberia. Bernhard took up golf at age seven through caddieing and turned professional at 18. He won 41 times in Europe, the last six with the broom handle putter he started using towards end of 1996.
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Langer's introduction to golf came when he was just 8. In order to earn some spending money, he followed in his brother's footsteps by caddying at the Ausburg Golf and Country Club, 5 miles from his home. Once he began earning money, he spent more and more time at the club. During slack times, he practised behind the caddy shack with a few old clubs and soon demonstrated a natural talent. He spent so much time at the club that he must have been considered one of the fixtures. When he turned 14, Langer was set to leave school when opportunity knocked.
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PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla.–All right, when did Phil Mickelson start to hit it like Bernhard Langer? When did golf's No.1 thrill ride learn to play controlled, sensible – and, in this case, unbeatable – golf?
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"I have tried to achieve a level of consistency throughout my career, and to have it culminate with this election (to the World Golf Hall of Fame) means a great deal to me," Langer said. He joins an elite circle that now includes its first native German.
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Langer took advantage of the early morning conditions to card his four-under round, which was good for second place. The near 50-year-old golfer had one bogey and five birdies on the card.
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