Bernhard Langer experienced a setback in his golf career.
The 66-year-old German golfer said in a statement shared by the PGA Tour that he tore his Achilles tendon during practice and underwent surgery on Friday, according to The Associated Press.
“Yesterday during training in Boca Raton I ruptured my Achilles tendon. I will have surgery today to repair the injury, which will cause me to miss competitive golf while I recover,” Langer said.
He continued: “Throughout my career, faith and family have been my foundations, giving me strength and guiding me through difficult times. I will rely on both of them as I work to return to competition.”
The PGA Tour did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.
Bernhard Langer says he has a ‘big challenge’ ahead of him as he aims to make the Masters Cut at 64
In his statement, Langer did not say how long his recovery would take. However, after surgery, the Achilles tendon can take several months to heal, according to the Hospital for Special Surgery.
Due to his lengthy recovery, Langer will miss the 2024 Masters tournament, which takes place in April at Augusta National Golf Course in Georgia.
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Langer said in a conference call Wednesday ahead of the Chubb Classic in Florida, “It’s going to be very emotional, especially August, because it’s been a big part of my life.”
“I love the tournament. I love the golf course. I love what they do for the game of golf,” he continued, according to the AP. “It will be a tough farewell for me, walking the 18th for the last time in competitive circumstances.”
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Langer, who won the Masters in 1985 and again in 1993, previously spoke of the “huge challenge” he faces as he begins his journey back to the Masters in April 2022, when he was the oldest player in the field at the time.
“It’s definitely different,” he told PEOPLE at the time. “When I was in my 20s and 30s, I would play the course as much as I could. Just go out and play the course, probably three times, 18 holes before the tournament started.”
He added that he had the desire to run all the way to the Masters.
“We all train and strive to win at any level. Anytime you’re competing and competing, you’d like to win,” he explained to PEOPLE about continuing to play sports. “And once you experience it, you want it again and again.”
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