What do the Rules of Golf say about Bernhard Langer's way of putting? Rules controversy explored

Bernhard Langer teamed up with his son Jason to win the 2024 PNC Championship. It was his sixth win at the event, but not without controversy.

Langer is one of the most visible faces of the use of broomstick putters in professional golf. It is a group that includes PGA Tour stars such as Adam Scott and Akshay Bhatia.

The real controversy surrounding Bernhard Langer, however, is that many fans believe the two-time Masters champion "anchors" his putter. This is a prohibited action, but in the case of broomstick putters, it is not easy to determine.

Rule 14.1b of the Rules of Golf, adopted by both the United States Golf Association (USGA) and the R&A, strictly prohibits the anchoring of the putter, either directly or by means of a so-called "anchor point".

The rule defines a putter as directly anchored when the club is in direct contact with the player's body. As for the anchor point, it is created when the player's forearm rests against the body, creating a stable point while the other hand executes the swing.

Violation of this rule results in two penalty strokes in stroke play and the loss of the hole in match play.

The difficulty with broomstick putters is that the player can place the club against the body, albeit not directly. Players use a finger (usually the thumb) to separate the club from their anatomy, which is considered a legal move.

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How many wins has Bernhard Langer achieved with the broomstick putter?

Bernhard Langer began using the broomstick putter in the late 1990s (around 1996). In that time, the German has won 62 tournaments, including all of his victories on the senior circuit.

Seven of his victories came on his final stage on the European Tour. They were the following:

• 1997 Conte of Florence Italian Open
• 1997 Benson & Hedges International Open
• 1997 Chemapol Trophy Czech Open
• 1997 Linde German Masters
• 2001 TNT Dutch Open
• 2001 Linde German Masters
• 2002 Volvo Masters Andalucía

As for the senior circuit, the current PGA Tour Champions, Langer has won 47 tournaments, including 12 senior majors. They are as follows:

• 2010 The Senior Open Championship
• 2010 U.S. Senior Open
• 2014 Constellation Senior Players Championship
• 2014 The Senior Open Championship
• 2015 Constellation Senior Players Championship
• 2016 Regions Tradition
• 2016 Constellation Senior Players Championship
• 2017 Regions Tradition
• 2017 KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship
• 2017 The Senior Open Championship
• 2019 The Senior Open Championship
• 2023 U.S. Senior Open

To these results must be added other victories in other tours, as well as unofficial victories, as in the case of the PNC Championship.

Bernhard Langer started his professional career in 1972. To date, he has won 125 tournaments, including two Masters Tournaments.