Bernhard Langer delves into LIV Golf, golf ball rollback, Ryder Cup

Bernhard Langer is without doubt one of the legendary figures in golf. In reality, I imagine it could be fairly troublesome to inform the historical past of the game with out detailing his exploits.

Langer is a two-time Masters champion, having beat out Seve Ballesteros and Raymond Floyd for the Inexperienced Jacket in 1985. Then, eight years later, he ran away with the event with a four-stroke victory.

He was slated to make his ultimate Masters look final week. An unlucky Achilles damage derailed that. Nevertheless, his restoration is progressing easily with eyes on Augusta Nationwide in 2025.

Past his Masters presence although, Langer can be one among 5 gamers to have ever received knowledgeable golf event on six continents.

He ranks second all-time in European Tour wins with 42. The German native has received on the PGA Tour, the Asian Tour, and has 46 titles on the PGA Tour Champions, probably the most ever.

It’s secure to say that he’s somebody price listening to in terms of necessary issues inside the sport.

Fortunately, I used to be granted that chance to spend a while with him throughout The Masters. We spoke at size concerning quite a lot of sizzling matters, and Langer was extremely candid throughout an unique with Enjoying Via.

Katie Goodale-USA TODAY Sports activities

Golf Ball Rollback; “Too Little, Too Late”

One of many extra distinguished conversations amongst golf followers is the golf ball rollback.

The USGA and the R&A, golf’s two governing our bodies, introduced that the ball might be rolled again for each professionals and amateurs alike. It isn’t slated to take impact till 2028, however that didn’t cease Langer from stating simply how ridiculous the present strategy is.

However not for why you may anticipate.

“Rolling the ball again seven-to-12 yards, I believe that is unnecessary. That’s too little, too late,” Langer stated boldly.

“In 4 years time, the blokes will already hit it seven-to-12 yards farther. Whenever you roll it again simply that a lot, we’re going to be the place we’re proper now. In three or 4 extra years, they’ll have this drawback once more.”

Because the 66-year-old would go on to element, athletes are getting greater, stronger and quicker in all sports activities. That isn’t more likely to cease.

Whenever you mix that with the advance of know-how, studying “the right spin price, launch angle, pace coaching, diet,” gamers are merely going to maintain hitting it farther.

“If they’ll roll the ball again, roll it again considerably. Seven-to-12 yards does nothing in the long term for the sport of golf,” Langer stated.

He did nevertheless acknowledge how sophisticated the state of affairs is.

Golf ball producers usually are not going to need to pour tens of hundreds of thousands of {dollars} right into a ball that solely professionals will use. So, bifurcation was lifeless on arrival.

However which means what’s already a troublesome sport for Sunday golfers such as you and me, is just going to get tougher.

“That makes it tougher for the amateurs. The sport is already arduous and now you’re going to hit it shorter. That may make it even tougher.”

It was refreshing to listen to Langer communicate frankly and it was solely made attainable due to his function with Mercedes-Benz.

Langer Mercedes-Benz: The Good Marriage

Langer is without doubt one of the model ambassadors for Mercedes-Benz. The German automaker has been one of many longest operating sponsors inside the sport for many years. As they wish to say, focus, persistence and a focus of energy are qualities they’ve sought and located in golf, which aligns with what they create to their merchandise on a regular basis.

However Langer’s relationship with them, and particularly the way it took place, is fairly incredible.

Picture by Traci Edwards/The PGA of America through Getty Photographs

“I received right here [Augusta National] in 1985 and had a contract with Jaguar,” Langer stated whereas carrying one among his Inexperienced Jackets.

“Somebody requested ‘how come a German man is driving an English automotive when there are such a lot of nice German automotive producers?’”

“I stated, ‘good query.’ I then obtained a name from Mercedes-Benz and we linked and have been collectively ever since.”

Mercedes has been an enormous proponent of the game for a really very long time, but additionally imbues its values.

The carmaker is the title sponsor of the Mercedes-Benz Charity Golf Day, with proceeds going to the Boland College for Autism and the Purple Cross Youngsters’s Hospital.

In a sport full of philanthropy, Mercedes-Benz does their half.

LIV Golf and the OWGR Downside

Langer additionally did his half throughout our time collectively, pulling no punches.

We, after all, needed to focus on the present state {of professional} golf. I requested for his ideas and he supplied one very apparent sentiment, whereas one other perked my ears up.

“There’s two issues for positive.”

“All of the professionals are making more cash, whether or not they play on the LIV Tour or the PGA Tour. They’re all making more cash, so it’s a good factor for all of these concerned,” stated Langer matter-of-factly.

Everybody talks in regards to the cash that LIV gamers are making. However what will get ignored is the PGA Tour purses rising. No, to not the extent of LIV, however Langer is right that the creation of LIV Golf has bulked up the pockets of many PGA Tour gamers as effectively.

“However the different factor is that it’s not good for the sport of golf. It’s dividing, it’s not good to not see the perfect gamers play in opposition to one another regularly.”

“The entire world rating is out of whack now too. You don’t have all the greatest gamers getting world rating factors… they dug themselves into the trenches some time in the past and now they’ve to search out their approach out.”

Langer is referencing the truth that the Official World Golf Rating (OWGR) system has refused to award LIV Golf with any factors. That has led to the bulk on the Saudi-funded circuit to plummet within the standings.

However everybody is aware of that Brooks Koepka, Jon Rahm, Cam Smith, and such are a number of the greatest gamers on the planet.

Ryder Cup – Euro Stars Emerge due to LIV Golf

Following the Europeans decimation of Staff USA eventually fall’s Ryder Cup in Rome, Luke Donald was awarded captaincy in 2025 as effectively.

It is going to be the primary time for the reason that 1990’s when Stephan Gallacher was captain back-to-back for Staff Europe.

A part of final yr’s success, was partly, due to LIV Golf, in response to Langer.

“Luke had plenty of success final yr. It could not have occurred if a number of the guys not gone to the LIV tour, like Westwood, Garcia and Stenson. That left just a little little bit of a void.”

That void opened up spots for rising abilities like Viktor Hovland, Ludvig Aberg and Nicolai Hojgaard. Aberg and Hovland traditionally embarrassed Staff USA, hammering Scottie Scheffler and Brooks Koepka.

Picture by David Cannon/Getty Photographs

There’s a lot younger expertise coming from Europe lately. Langer went as far as to level out the variety of German gamers now on Tour, which is rare traditionally.

“Even Germany has eight or 10 guys on tour now, which is extraordinary.”

“The sport of golf is rising in that a part of the world. It took some time however it’s taking place. Increasingly more of the highest European kids are coming over to go school in America. They get the perfect teaching, the perfect amenities, follow and competitors as effectively.”

“That has helped them be a lot better at a a lot youthful age.”

Certainly, Aberg is 24 years outdated and practically simply received The Masters. Hovland is the reigning FedEx Cup winner at 26.

The rising stars from throughout the pond are going to assist make an extremely contentious Ryder Cup rivalry for years to return.

Kendall Capps is the Senior Editor of SB Nation’s Enjoying Via. For extra golf protection, comply with us @_PlayingThrough on all main social media platforms.