Bernhard Langer, 63, becomes oldest player to make Masters cut

Two-time winner Bernhard Langer has become the oldest player to make the cut in the Masters at the age of 63.

Bernhard Langer reacts after playing a shot from a bunker on the ninth hole during the first round of the Masters at Augusta National. Picture: Patrick Smith/Getty Images

Playing in the event for the 37th time, the German progressed to the weekend with scores of 68 and 73 for a three-under total.He is marginally older than Tommy Aaron was when the 1973 champion got to the weekend in 2000.

Langer’s opening effort was the first time he’d opened with a round in the 60s since recording the second of his victories at Augusta National in 1993 after winning for the first time in 1985.

“It's not easy to do it,” said Langer, winner of a record 41 events on the Champions Tour, including four Senior Open successes, of his feat.

“There have been so many great players here before me, from Jack Nicklaus to Gary Player to all the greats that have competed here, and to be the oldest to make the cut, it's certainly an achievement.”

He was up at 4am to get ready to resume his second round after being among the players still out on the course when darkness halted play on Thursday evening.

That meant he had to play 27 holes in one day and, even though he has looked after himself over the years, it had been a tough day.

“My knees are shot right now,” he declared. “My wife just said, you're not going to hit balls, are you? I said, ‘no, no chance’. I'm done.

“This is one of the hilliest courses we play, and when it's wet, it's even a harder walk.”

Bryson DeChambeau may be hitting short irons into some of the long par-4s on this course but not Langer.

“I need a lot of hybrids and 3 woods,” he said. “They're not designed for that, but I managed to get around.

“I like this golf course. I think I know how to get around it, even though I hit very long clubs. But it's certainly not easy. It's a long hitter's place. Always has been.

“I mean, why has Jack won six times and Tiger five times? Because they were the longest players in their era.”

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