Bernhard Langer is golf’s ageless wonder

BOCA RATON, Fla. — Bernhard Langer’s bar is a bit higher than us mortals.

In the past 15 months, the Boca Raton resident won for a 43rd time on the PGA Tour Champions, becoming the oldest champion on the tour. He also captured his record sixth Charles Schwab Cup. He not only shot his age twice – the first time coming on his 64th birthday – but beat his age with a 63.

When asked about his year entering the 2022 TimberTech Championship, which starts Friday at Royal Palm Yacht & Country Club, Langer was lukewarm in his assessment – some good moments but not as many as the last dozen or so years when he’s dominated the 50-and-older circuit.

“It’s been a solid year, not quite as good as the last 12 or 13, they were exceptionally good,” Langer said.

You could call him a victim of his own success.

Now 65, Langer is in his 50th year of professional golf, the last 15 as the best player on the PGA Tour Champions. Best player in the world over 50? That’s stretching it because of the natural decline at his age.

But the best player in the world over 60? No question.

“He’s somebody I would admire the most as a pro,” said 51-year-old Padraig Harrington. “He’s the most professional out there, he’s gotten the most out of his game. It doesn’t surprise me what he’s doing. He’s fit and strong.”

Langer won $10.76 million in three decades on the PGA Tour. Since joining the PGA Tour Champions, he has added $33.33 million to his wealth. His 43 wins are two fewer than record holder Hale Irwin but his 11 majors on the Champions circuit is the standard, four more than Irwin.

With two TimberTech titles, Langer is the only golfer to win that event more than once.

So why would he ever consider a life of mah-jongg and early bird dinners? Or transition his competitive juices onto a pickleball court?

He isn’t … just yet.

No retirement plans in Langer’s golf bag

“I’m getting closer to where I’m thinking about it,” Langer said about putting away the sticks. “So far I really haven’t thought about it much. I always said if I feel good and I’m healthy, I enjoy what I’m doing and I’m somewhat successful, I’ll continue.”

Few play or look as good as Langer at 65. He’s in extraordinary shape and dedicated to his conditioning. Langer started producing “Burn Baby Bern” exercise videos during the pandemic that typically end with him in his pool.

Langer admits his priorities are changing — he was anxious to get home…