Emotional Bernhard Langer bracing for final Masters

AUGUSTA, Ga. — All good things must come to an end. 

In the case of Bernhard Langer, a great run will come to an end this week after he plays his 41st and final Masters. 

“It’s been an incredible journey, for a young man being born in a village of 800 people in an area where golf was nothing, to make it here,’’ Langer said Monday. “To get an invitation to play the Masters first time around when it was extremely difficult for a European or international players to get an invitation, and then to win the first Masters on the third go-around was just a dream come true. 

“Golf was nothing in Germany. I had no idea when I turned pro what I was going to be facing. I had no role model. I had no one to compare myself with. I was just the one starting something that nobody has ever done before in Germany.’’ 

Langer recalled his first drive down Magnolia Lane, saying, “Seeing this place was an eye-opener for me.’’ 

The usually stoic Langer, who won the Masters in 1985 and 1993, was emotional when speaking to reporters. 

“You can tell already my voice is breaking a bit just realizing it’s going to be my last competitive Masters,’’ he said. “After four decades, it’s going to be bittersweet.’’ 

Langer was going to “call it quits’’ at Augusta as a competitor last year, but an Achilles injury prevented him from playing, delaying his finale for a year. 

“It is time to quit,’’ he said. “I’m just not competitive on this course anymore. We’re playing, what, 7,500-plus yards, and I’m used to playing courses around 7,100. I can still compete there but not at this distance.’’ 

Asked what he thinks his emotions will be when his final round comes to a close this week, whether it’s on Friday en route to a missed cut or on Sunday in round four, he said, “If it doesn’t hit me earlier on, it will definitely hit me on 18, I know that. 

“Hopefully, I can control myself until the 18th, but there’s no guarantees.’’