Langer ready for emotional Masters farewell

AUGUSTA, Georgia - As Bernhard Langer gets ready to make his final Masters start this week the German could not help but take time to reflect on his journey from humble beginnings to becoming twice champion at Augusta National Golf Club.

The 67-year-old Langer will make his 41st Masters start on Thursday, a feat he never imagined in his wildest childhood dreams, especially considering he did not even know about the tournament at the time.

I dont recall the exact day or year when I heard about the Masters Tournament, but it was certainly not easy, Langer told a press conference on Monday during which his voice broke on several occasions.

We didnt even have a television until I was about 12 years old. My dad couldnt afford one. Then it only had three channels. Im sure the Masters wasnt on one of those three channels.

Langer made his Masters debut in 1982 as Germanys first participant in the tournament and his triumphs in 1985 and 1993 are what he calls the two most important wins of a career which earned him a spot in the World Golf Hall of Fame.

Speaking after a short video showing his Masters highlight played, Langer called his golf career an incredible journey for someone born in a village of about 800 people.

Golf was nothing in Germany, said Langer. I had no idea when I turned pro what I was going to be facing. I had no role model. I had no one to compare myself with. I was just the one starting something that nobody has ever done before in Germany.

The seemingly ageless Langers original idea was to play his final Masters last year but that plan was cruelly dashed after he suffered a torn Achilles tendon.

Langer won his first