Langer’s Last Masters Ends In Heartbreak; Rose Leads Tight Field

AUGUSTA, Ga. — In a dramatic conclusion to his storied career, Bernhard Langer fell just short of making the cut in his final Masters appearance on April 11, 2025. Having played at Augusta National for the last 41 years, Langer’s emotional journey concluded when a par putt on the 18th hole narrowly slipped past the cup, leaving him at 3 over on the day.

After carding a 2-over 74 in the first round, Langer had started the second round optimistically, needing just a 2-over finish to advance into the weekend. He was even par until disaster struck on the par-5 15th hole, where his approach shot spun back into the water, resulting in a double bogey. Langer then made par on the 16th and 17th before his heartbreaking miss on 18, which prompted an emotional farewell from the patrons who gave him a standing ovation.

“It was very different than a normal tournament for me,” Langer said. “I wasn’t sure walking up 18, is it the last time or am I going to be here tomorrow.” His sentiment reflects the gravity of a final tournament for the two-time Masters champion who holds a World Golf Hall of Fame career.

Fred Couples, also a past champion, similarly found himself in a tough spot after posting a 4-over 77 on Friday, missing the cut at 4 over. Couples shared his disappointment but remained determined about his future participation, stating, “The goal is to make the cut at my age. I didn’t, and I’m kind of spinning my wheels.”

As Langer concluded his career, 53 players made the cut at 2-over 146, leading to a highly competitive weekend. Notable players who missed out included three-time champion Phil Mickelson, who struggled felting four bogeys and a double on his last four holes to finish at 5 over.

Meanwhile, in the lead, Justin Rose emerged after a solid 71, giving him a total score of 8-under 136. “The leaderboard is stacking up very favorably for what looks like world-class players,” Rose commented as he prepared for a competitive final two rounds. Behind him, major contagion from Bryson DeChambeau and Rory McIlroy, both on a mission to claim a pivotal victory as well.

McIlroy recovered from a rough start earlier in the tournament to shoot a 66, capturing much attention after birdie-birdie-par-eagle to kick off the back nine. He expressed his relief, saying, “I had to remind myself I was playing well. I couldn’t let two bad holes dictate the narrative of the 16 good ones.”

Despite difficult conditions with strong winds impacting play and challenging greens, Scottie Scheffler managed to keep pace, commenting, “We’ve got a great golf course, conditions should be really good, challenging, and we’ve got some great guys on top of the leaderboard.”

With intense competition ahead and stories of both triumph and farewell, Augusta National prepares for an exciting weekend of golf.