Column: In world of youth, Langer puts focus on ageless game

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — The bearded maintenance worker pounded his hammer into a metal spike next to the tee as Padraig Harrington prepared to hit. He dragged a hose across the green and accidentally doused Darren Clarke before a putt.

This was no ordinary member of the grounds staff at Timuquana Country Club.

It was Bernhard Langer in disguise.

Turns out the 64-year-old German can be quite the prankster. His victims during this PGA Tour Champions pro-am included Harrington, Clarke, Phil Mickelson and Tim Tebow, three of whom are British Open champions.

As for his golf? Langer takes that seriously and always has.

How else to explain how someone could be just as devoted to practice and fitness as he was 49 years ago when he turned pro as a 15-year-old in the tiny village of Anhausen? How he could win two Masters, be the first No. 1 player in the world, be inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame and then win in each of his 15 years on the 50-and-older circuit?

“He's 64. I feel like a puppy next to him,” Ernie Els said. “But he plays like a young man and he's got that desire still, which is incredible.”

Langer took his place in the record book Sunday in Virginia when he holed a 6-foot birdie putt in a playoff to win the Dominion Energy Charity Classic. His 42nd career victory made him the oldest player to win on the PGA Tour Champions.

“When you get to my age, you never know if you're going to win again. It's as simple as that,” Langer said. “Hopefully, this won't be the last one. But if it is, it was very special. To become the oldest so far to win out here, it's not easy.”

The previous mark for an individual event was Mike Fetchick, who was 63 when he won the Hilton Head Seniors Invitational in 1985. Since then, there have been six winners at 62 or older on the...