As Bernhard Langer headlines the 2026 Chubb Classic at Tiburón Golf Club in Naples, the possibility of facing Tiger Woods on the same stage brings back a rivalry that may not be finished yet.

“I try to beat everybody. It doesn't matter who comes out here. The goal is to win. If you want to win, you need to beat him. So yes, that would be the goal,” said 47-time PGA Tour winner Langer ahead of the 2026 Chubb Classic when addressing the possibility of competing against Tiger Woods.

Tiger Woods turned 50 on December 30, 2025, which made him eligible to compete in PGA Tour Champions events, including future editions of the Chubb Classic. 

However, Woods has not announced a return date after undergoing his seventh back surgery in October, leaving his senior tour debut uncertain.

Bernhard Langer holds a strong record at the Chubb Classic, having won the tournament five times across different venues in Naples. 

At the same time,his focus remains on execution rather than opponents: “But my goal is not to play against Tiger Woods. My goal is to play against the golf course and myself and shoot the lowest score and then see if anybody can match that. If Tiger Woods is better, so be it.” 

Langer's connection to Tiburón Golf Club’s Black Course stands out, as it was there he earned his 45th PGA Tour Champions victory, tying the all-time record.

Langer also recalled their last meeting on the course and the time they spent together with their sons.

Bernhard Langer Reflects on Time Spent With Tiger Woods at the PNC Championship

Their most recent meeting came at the 2024 PNC Championship, where Bernhard Langer and his son Jason faced Tiger Woods and his son Charlie in the final round. 

Over time, Langer said he had played with Woods many times, including when Woods began his professional career in 1996. 

During that event, he also saw Tiger’s reaction when Charlie made a hole-in-one, which became one of the key moments of the round.

The match later moved into a playoff, where Langer made an eagle putt to secure the result. Still, he pointed to the shared experience rather than the outcome. 

Reflecting on that day, the 2024 PNC Championship winner said, “We had a great time about a year and a half ago when we played the PNC Championship together on Sunday, when he played with Charlie, his son, and I had Jason, my son, and we spent a Sunday together. We had a wonderful time and enjoyed each other's company.”

Will Tiger Woods or Bernhard Langer come out on top if they meet on the senior tour? Share your pick, and follow Club Golf for more.

Written by

Aditi Singh

Edited by

Joyita Das