AUGUSTA, Ga. — Bernhard Langer`s spiritual journey began at Amen Corner.
In 1985, the German golfer secured his first Masters victory at Augusta National. He mentioned Jesus` name during his winner`s interview, and later experienced a spiritual awakening at a Bible study in Hilton Head, South Carolina. In 1993, he claimed his second Masters title on Easter Sunday at this iconic golf location.
`This tournament held a deeper significance for me than many realize, especially spiritually,` Langer, 67, commented on Friday.
He spoke in the past tense as a bogey caused him to miss the cut in his 41st and final Masters as a participant.
Langer`s walk off the 18th green on Friday marked the conclusion of a remarkable Masters career. His initial victory came when he, at 27 from a small village, became only the third international champion after Gary Player and Seve Ballesteros. His second green jacket followed eight years later in 1993. He achieved seven top-10 finishes, including one in 2014, and impressively finished under par in 2020, tying for 29th at 3-under.
Langer`s enduring career spanned a significant shift in golf equipment. He remains the last major winner using a persimmon driver.
John Daly`s 1991 PGA Championship win at Crooked Stick featured powerful drives with a Kevlar-headed Cobra driver, and Jose Maria Olazabal`s 1994 Masters victory included a relatively large TaylorMade metal driver.
Reflecting on Langer’s past triumphs sparked nostalgia. As part of his Augusta farewell, the Champions Tour shared a video of Langer showcasing the Texan driver from 32 years prior, made by the Texas Golf Co. He then revealed his most cherished club, a gift inspired by his win.
`They presented me with a unique gift,` Langer explained. `The owner hand-painted this for me. It`s one of their drivers, depicting `The Last Supper` with Jesus and the twelve disciples. Hand-carved. A truly unique piece.`
Dave Wood, nearly 2,000 miles away in Jalisco, Mexico, was amazed.
Wood is a multifaceted individual, raised in Hollywood, California, as the son of a golf professional. He attended California Institute of the Arts and the Glassell School of Art in Houston. He merged his artistic interests with golf, experimenting with club design. He gained mentorship from golf legends Jackie Burke and Jimmy Demaret.
This led to the Texas Golf Co. and his innovative Texan driver.
`I was the first to introduce loft degrees on clubs,` Wood stated. `This is standard on all pro shop clubs today.`
Wood and Langer met at Riviera Country Club in 1984 and bonded quickly. Wood, a competitive player, understood players` needs. Without launch monitors, he relied on feedback from friends like Seve Ballesteros and Greg Norman to refine his products. He pioneered precision in club design long before advanced technology.
He noted Langer`s testing was exceptionally systematic.
`Bernhard used his caddie and a signal system at the range,` Wood recalled. `True German engineering. Signals indicated ball landing and hop behavior.`
Their careers soon flourished.
Demaret and Burke directed players to Wood. Phil Mickelson and Ben Crenshaw began using his clubs, including the Texan Mickelson used to win the 1991 Tucson Open as an amateur. In the early 90s, Wood made one for Langer too.
In 1993, Wood was at Augusta early week but had to go to Japan. There, at midnight, he watched his friend win the Masters using his club.
`Failure would have meant a broken TV,` Wood joked.
He wanted to commemorate this achievement for Langer and himself. Knowing Langer`s faith, he decided to create a Texan driver with `The Last Supper` carving.
`Leonardo da Vinci was always an inspiration,` Wood said. `Langer`s Augusta win was my objective, my ultimate challenge.`
He spent six months on the driver, addressing persimmon grain porosity and carving on the curved driver head. Excited, he gave it to Langer without photographing it.
This week, a video featuring Langer showcasing the gift reached Wood via an old golf friend. He was touched Langer highlighted it, evoking thirty years of golf memories and the end of an era with a friend`s final Masters.
`It was exactly as I remembered,` Wood said from Mexico. `It`s meaningful that it still matters to him among his many wins.`
Wood watched Langer on Friday, noting his green slacks as a tribute to his 1985 win. Fans cheered him across the course. He birdied 12th, momentarily making a comeback, but double and single bogeys on 15 and 18 followed.
`Coming to 18, emotions were mixed. I thought I was on the cut line, or just out, maybe 3-over makes it,` Langer said.
He missed the cut by one stroke, a close putt on 18.
Knowing when to retire is tough, especially in golf. Langer dominates the PGA Tour Champions, even into his 60s. He can still challenge younger players. The end can be long in coming. For greats, retirement is a matter of faith.
Despite an Achilles injury, Langer remained fit and nearly became the oldest to make a major cut, matching Sam Snead`s 1979 record at 67. But Langer aimed higher than just making the cut.
`I want to contend, be on the leaderboard, have a chance to win. At this course, I don`t think I can anymore,` Langer admitted.
His playing partner, Noah Kent, averaged 322.6 yards off the tee, while Langer averaged 253.3. A significant disadvantage.
`I`m hitting long irons into greens, unable to control ball stop. This course suits medium to short irons. Greens are very challenging,` Langer explained.
To compete, Langer had to strategically miss shots and excel at recovery, using his 41 years of course knowledge. He played so well, he questioned his retirement decision. But now, he feels at peace.
Leaving the 18th green with his son Jason, Langer greeted his family. `Many emotions in the last two days walking the fairways. Friends worldwide walked with me. It meant so much.` Wood, in Mexico, understood. His `Last Supper` driver was also his own career`s symbolic end.
`That was my last persimmon club made personally. I didn`t know it then. Life is like that,` Wood reflected.
Wood watched Langer`s every shot on Friday, deeply invested in the round.
`This is it,` Wood said. `The end of our era.`
Masters announcer Jim Nantz called Langer `a golf great.`
Langer, reflecting on his legacy, hoped to be remembered `as a good golfer, but also a man of faith.`
