Bernhard Langer not contending but still fighting at Furyk & Friends

Palm Coast, Fla. — Bernard Langer arrived at the Furyk & Friends with the peculiar task of defending a championship from 18 years prior. It seems his victory in the 2008 event at Hammock Beach Ocean Course might not be repeated this Sunday. Yet, when you begin to wonder if time and distance have truly worn him down, he surprises you much like he did on Saturday.

Langer’s second-round 66 propelled him from 49th to tied for 20th, allowing him to enter Sunday’s final round nine shots behind the leader but still in the realm of his fifth top-10 finish of 2026. How did the Champions Tour’s all-time win leader (47) manage this feat? Simply put: “Hit the ball better. Putted better. Hit more greens.

Hit better shots.” Langer had recovered from a 1-under 71 on Friday, a day when the softened course handed out numerous red numbers, especially at 7,000-plus yards and without fairway roll. He admitted that this isn't the kind of course Langer typically gravitates towards at 69, despite having a few more victories left in him. “Generally, the shorter courses — short and narrow,” he remarked of his late-career favorites.

“This one is wide and long.” Langer once set the lofty goal of reaching 50 Champions wins, a goal he’s still holding onto. “That was a lofty goal, but you have to have goals,” he says. After a torn Achilles in early 2024 seemingly halted his pursuit of 50 career wins, Langer returned to competition after a swift surgery and rehabilitation.

Nine months later, he clinched his 47th win in November of that year. Nearly two full seasons later, he remains determined to secure his 48th and intends to continue well into his 70s. “It’s still fun to compete and I still feel like I’m competitive,” he says. “Even though I’m a little shorter, a little older now, to bang it out there with the 50-year-olds.

But on some of the courses, I still feel like I can win.” Australian Matthew Goggin leads Furyk & Friends with an 18-hole lead after rounds of 66 and 62. Australian Rod Pampling is in sole second, while Vaught Taylor and Michael Wright are tied for third, three shots behind the leader.