A curious sight has emerged from The Senior Open, leaving golf enthusiasts whispering among themselves. Bernhard Langer, known for his legendary swings and storied career, has been spotted employing a technique that’s raised a whole lot of eyebrows. Has one of golf’s greatest been indulging in a practice deemed a no-go since 2016?

On July 28, TheGolfDivoTee shared a post on their X handle, captioned, “I’m sorry Bernhard, we love you dearly, but this looks suspiciously like anchoring to me” – The post included a photo that shows Langer’s hand hovering suspiciously close to his chest as he putts. Cheating or not, the golf community is abuzz, and Langer’s reputation hangs in the balance!

The controversy centers around anchoring, a technique banned by golf’s governing bodies, the USGA and R&A, in 2013. The rule change, which prohibited all anchored strokes, including putting, was implemented on January 1, 2016. Essentially, anchoring involves stabilizing a club against the body during a stroke, which was deemed to give golfers an unfair advantage. 

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However, the ban was meant to preserve the integrity of the game, but Langer’s recent actions have raised questions about the gray areas surrounding this rule. Whether or not the legendary German used the banned practice in the Seniors Open, he has been accused of doing so in the past.

Langer, a 46-time PGA TOUR champion, first-all time, from 2007 to current, faced similar accusations in 2017. He and his fellow golfer Scott McCarron were forced to issue statements strongly rejecting claims of anchoring, which had become widespread on social media. Langer responded, “It’s human to be jealous, let’s put it that way. If I was No.180 on the Money List, I don’t think anybody would be talking about it.”

He added, “I’m a man of integrity and the last thing I want to do is break rules and be known as a cheat. You have a few people on Twitter or somewhere else questioning my integrity, which is really hurtful. I can’t stop people talking. I can only control what I’m doing and I’m going to play golf within the rules and do the best I can.” 

Now, at 66, Langer finds himself at the center of the controversy once again, with many questioning whether his technique complies with the rules. So how do golf enthusiasts react to the claims made by the tweet?

Fans showed a strong stance on Bernhard Langer’s anchoring accusations

The golf community has been vocal about the recent allegations, with opinions divided. Some fans believe long putters should be banned entirely, aligning with Tiger Woods’ stance that “the putter should be the shortest club in the bag.” One fan commented, “All long putters should be banned, in my opinion,” to which another agreed, “I agree, the putter should be the shortest club in the bag.”

Others are more lenient, suggesting that Langer’s age and long-standing career should grant him some leniency. “The dude is like 70yo; he can anchor all he wants,” remarked one fan, highlighting his enduring competitive spirit despite his age and injuries. Which he has shown despite concerning health issues in the past.

Skeptics, however, are not convinced that the 66-year-old is anchoring. “What can they do about it? He will say it’s at most resting against his shirt, so not anchored. Plus, who would question him or anyone using one?” one fan pondered, noting the difficulty of proving such accusations. Another added, “How can you tell? I can’t,” emphasizing the need for more conclusive evidence, such as a side-angle view.

One fan sarcastically defended Langer’s unique putting style, saying, “Love the guy too; he’s been anchoring for years,” others point to alternative perspectives. “Miguel Martín is worse,” one fan commented, drawing comparisons with other players. Spain’s Miguel Angel Martin was disqualified after the first round of the British Masters, in 2005, at Woburn when a television viewer spotted him standing on a sapling to improve his backswing, 

Amid the debate, the integrity of the game remains a focal point. As the USGA executive director Mike Davis stated, in 2013, “We’re not trying to hurt the game; we’re giving you options.” Whether Langer’s actions fall within these options or not is a question that continues to stir the golf community.

What’s your say on this controversial accusation? Share what you think of, in the comments section below.