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Bernhard Langer has aired concerns about whether or not some players will be able to complete all four rounds of this week’s Senior Open at Carnoustie.

The German is currently recovering from a torn Achilles tendon he suffered at the start of the year, and has only managed 22 rounds of competitive golf since – two of which were a missed cut in his last ever DP World Tour event.

In America, though, Langer is entitled to use of a golf buggy during tournaments – a luxury he or others are not afforded when the cream of the over-50s crop tee up on the famed Angus links this week.

And the 66-year-old old is not happy about it.

“In America have the ADA – the American Disability Act,” he explained. “I’m on there right now with my torn Achilles, and so we get a golf cart.

“[There are] probably, right now, eight or ten of us, including Vijay Singh, Paul Broadhurst and John Daly to mention a few, and most of them didn’t get one here.

“But they still made the trip and still try to walk, even though it’s painful and it’s difficult, and some of us aren’t even sure we’re going to make it to tell you the truth.”

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Langer added: “I haven’t walked four times [for] 18 holes since last year, not since my injury.

“I’ve only walked twice 18 holes. I’m not sure I can do it but I hope I can.”

bernhard langer golf cart
Players such as John Daly are entitled to use a golf buggy when playing in the US. (Credit: Getty Images)

Still, Langer – a two-time Masters champion whose final Augusta appearance was postponed by his injury – is “very much” looking forward to the challenge of the Senior Open.

“It’s definitely one of the highlights every season,” he said. “Obviously we all play to win majors, and this is the only one on this continent.

“It’s usually part of my calendar if I’m healthy, and I’m glad to be back here at Carnoustie.”

Also back is Paul Lawrie, who skipped last week’s Open to prepare for a return to the golf course where he famously won the Claret Jug in such dramatic circumstances, while the likes of Paul McGinley, Colin Montgomerie, Jose Maria Olazabal, Darren Clarke and Ian Woosnam are also in the field looking to take Alex Cejka’s title.


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Alex Perry is the Associate Editor of bunkered. A journalist for more than 20 years, he has been a golf industry stalwart for the majority of his career and, in a five-year spell at ESPN, covered every sporting event you can think of. He completed his own Grand Slam at the 2023 Masters, having fallen in love with the sport at his hometown club of Okehampton and on the links of nearby Bude & North Cornwall.

Associate Editor

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