BOCA RATON — Some folks in their 60s rely on annuities to get by.
Bernhard Langer has the TimberTech Championship.
The World Golf Hall of Famer has earned more than $40 million while playing on the PGA Tour and the PGA Tour Champions the last 45 years. But he had to travel all over the U.S. (and the UK for the British Open) to earn this grand sum of money, sometimes leaving a tournament without a penny earned if he missed the cut.
Not so at the TimberTech Championship.
During the last 12 years, Langer has only had to make an eight-minute commute from his Boca Raton home to The Old Course to earn $1,186.385.
And counting.
The defending champion once again positioned himself for another high finish with a 4-under 68 Saturday that left Langer tied for fourth place at 11-under 133, two shots behind co-leaders Darren Clarke and Robert Karlsson entering Sunday’s final round.
The round could have, should have been lower. Langer missed only two greens, but lacked his usual touch with the putter.
“I gave myself opportunities, and that’s what I need to do because I’m hitting a lot more clubs into these greens than some of my opponents,” Langer said. “Didn’t make a lot of putts, but I’m still there.”
Langer has averaged almost $100,000 a start ($98,865) at The Old Course. That doesn’t get old.
That’s what happens when you win twice, finish second twice, third twice, not to mention eight top-10s in 12 starts.
Numbers on a scorecard don’t always tell the story, but these numbers are numbing:
In 38 rounds at The Old Course, Langer has shot 66 or lower 10 times. He has shot even-par once and been over par just three times (with a pair of 73s). His overall average is 68.34, which basically turns the four par-5s into par-4s.
Not only does Langer take the fewest shots, he also has the most memorable one: His hole-out from a bunker for eagle to defeat John Cook in a playoff in 2010.
From a plugged lie, no less.
Sorry, Bart Bryant, but that eagle edges out the albatross you made to finish the second round in 2015. A trophy beats a Shot of the Day.
Just one question: What the heck happened to Langer in 2017 when he finished 37th? Was that an imposter? He only beat half the field that year.
Langer has been beating these guys since 2007. At 63, he refuses to act his age.
“Hopefully, I am acting my age,” Langer countered. “I’m wiser than I was 20 years ago.”
Langer made history in 1986 when he became the first player to be ranked No. 1 when the world rankings debuted. He also is one of five players who have won tournaments on all six continents where golf is played.
His game travels, as well.
Langer won a pair of Masters (1985 and 1993), but also appears in one of the most-famous photographs at Augusta National in 1986, when he put the green jacket on 46-year-old champion Jack Nicklaus.
Langer needs four more wins to tie Hale Irwin’s career record of 45 PGA Tour Champions titles. If Langer finishes in the top four Sunday, he will go over the $30 million mark.
On just the PGA Tour Champions.
There’s no secret to Langer’s success. He outworks and out-thinks most of his colleagues. Jeff Waber, Broken Sound’s director of golf, said Langer averages about 10 practice rounds a year on The Old Course.
“He doesn’t get himself into trouble,” Waber said. “He may not hit the prettiest, best-looking shot, but he never hits it out of play and takes a penalty shot. He always misses it on the correct side. He’s the most patient player out there.”
Waber also praised Langer’s actions off the course. Five years ago, Waber was looking to raise money for his old boss, John Skaff, after he suffered a serious health issue. Waber called Langer to see if he had any suggestions on what items raised the most money in a charity auction.
“Bernhard came over later that night and brought me the current year’s Masters flag from the champions dinner that had been signed by 34 of the living winners,” Waber said.
“I said, ‘Mr. Langer, I’m kind of shaking here.’ He said, ‘No, this will raise the most amount of money and it’s all yours.’”
It’s not always about the money.
Langer’s pay days on The Old Course
Bernard Langer has made more than $1.186 million playing in his hometown TimberTech Championship at Broken Sound Club in Boca Raton. He is the only player to win the event twice and has a pair of seconds and thirds. His average score on the par-72 Old Course is 68.34 (in 38 rounds) and his average earnings is $98,865.33.
Here are his year-by-year results:
- 2019: Finished first. $255,000
- 2018: Finished second, $140,800
- 2017: Finished T-37, $9,450
- 2016: Finished T-10, $28,850
- 2015: Finished T-26, $14,450
- 2014: Finished T-7, $54,400
- 2013:Finished T-2, $144,000
- 2012: Finished T-3, $118,350
- 2011: Finished T-17, $23,991
- 2010: Finished first, $255,000
- 2009: Finished third, $122,400
- 2008: Finished T-35, $9,693