Langer at 60 retains a burning desire to win

The majority of 60-yearolds are contemplating winding down and taking life a little easier. Not Bernhard Langer.

But then Langer is not your average sexagenarian. The two-time Masters champion would shame many sportsmen half his age if they carried out a detailed analysis of the German’s lifestyle.

He modestly describes his usual daily fitness regime as a series of stretches lasting 45 minutes immediately prior to playing 18 holes of golf followed by another 30 minutes of exercise.

Langer was also keen to point out yesterday when discussing this week’s Senior Open at St Andrews that he has been fortunate to avoid serious injuries.

“You’ve got to stay healthy to even compete,” he said. “A lot of my colleagues had back and knee surgeries, hip replacements, but I’ve been able to stay away from all of that so far. I do take time away from the game and I’m still hungry and I still enjoy the competition, working on the game and being in the hunt.

“There’s a lot more to that, as well: There’s fitness, there’s mental strengths. There’s just trying to be able to leave the family and go out and do it, after having done it for over 40 years. But it’s all still there and when some of that is missing, then it will be time to think about packing up.”

Langer refuses to put a timescale on when he expects to cease playing competitively. “Whether it’s five, ten or 15, I really don’t know,” he said.

But after playing four rounds at Carnoustie where he finished tied 24th in the Open on Sunday, Langer allowed himself the rare luxury of time off the following day.

But he said: “I should be OK. I’m sure the adrenaline will keep me going. Playing in the Senior Open at St Andrews, that’s enough to keep your juices flowing.”

Langer has won 111 tournaments, but one suspects that a fourth Senior Open would match anything he has achieved in 46 years as a pro. “Winning here at St Andrews would mean a lot, no doubt about it,” he said.