Golf Masters in Augusta: Master Masters: Langer is missing preparations

Back problems, knee pain, nearly five weeks he hadn’t played – in the end that was too much for Bernard Langer on his Masters lover.

Handicapped by adverse conditions, the veteran German golfer failed to make the cut at Augusta and was knocked out early. The 63-year-old from Anhausen played a botched round of 77, and missed the last two rounds at the weekend in the traditional grand tournament with a total of 151 hits at 71st position. The day before, Langer was still in 30th, with 54 of his successes. The best golfers at it.

This meant that Langer was unable to match his strong performances the previous year. 147 days ago, when the Masters was held exceptionally well in November due to the Corona crisis, he had set a record: as the oldest player in history, the veteran had cut on Magnolia Lane.

This year, the master’s winners in 1985 and 1993 were barely able to train for the past five weeks due to back problems and knee pain and traveled to this year’s first major tournament with almost no preparation. This was noticeable on the second day of cycle # 72. The Florida great golfer only got one bird. In contrast, Langer suffered losses in six holes.

However, Langer was in good company: many of the favorites also failed to cut the picturesque path in the US state of Georgia. For example, last year’s winner Dustin Johnson, fellow US countryman Brooks Kopka (both 149 hits) and Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland (150) were eliminated.

“It wasn’t that good especially with the racquet,” said Johnson, the world number one, disappointedly. “You simply can’t need three shots six times in two rounds.”

Olympic Champion Justin Rose managed to maintain his lead with a solid run of 72 and a total of 137 strokes. “This place inspires me,” said the 40-year-old Englishman. “I love being here in the building. It’s a golf course I know how to play better than any other.” Rose’s closest stalkers, who won the US Open in 2013, are Americans Will Zalatores and Brian Harman (both 138) after the second day.

Thanks to his Masters success, Langer has a lifetime right to start the major tournament, which is valued at $ 11.5 million. They hit Augusta National Golf Club for the 38th time this year. But the two-time main winner Martin Kaymer of Mittmann could not qualify for the masters. Five-time Masters champion Tiger Woods missed the starting field in Augusta after a violent traffic accident at the end of February.

Unlike last year, this time viewers were allowed back at the Master’s facility in the US state of Georgia – but much less than usual with mask requirements and distance rules.

© dpa-infocom, dpa: 210409-99-147341 / 4 (Dpa)