The Ghost of Christmas Past has returned to haunt the golf world. Nearly two months after Bernhard Langer and his son controversially defeated Tiger Woods and Charlie Woods at the 2024 PNC Championship, the incident has resurfaced on the popular “Dan on Golf” podcast. Host Dan Rapaport fielded a provocative fan question, “When will the world turn on Bernhard Langer for cheating over the last nine years of his career?”—which reignited a debate that many thought had been put to rest after the holiday tournament’s conclusion.What makes this question particularly intriguing in February 2025 is how it forces the golf world to revisit not just the December incident but Langer’s entire career of rule interpretations. The German legend’s victory over the Woods family sparked an immediate outcry on social media, with allegations ranging from anchored putting to bunker manipulation. Now, with respected golf journalist Alan Shipnuck offering his perspective on the matter, golf fans have a new lens through which to view the controversy.Shipnuck defends Bernhard Langer’s character despite controversial tactics“Bernhard has such a black-and-white personality. He is so meticulous, and also, other guys on the tour would be making a much bigger deal if he would be beating them every week by flat-out cheating,” Shipnuck stated on the podcast, offering a thoughtful defense of the 67-year-old’s character. The veteran golf journalist, who has covered Langer for decades, went further in his assessment: “I think he is one of those guys who can’t sleep at night if he knows he is cheating.”This defense comes despite the controversial nature of Langer’s actions during that crucial playoff hole at the PNC Championship. Viewers and social media critics pointed to two specific incidents that triggered the cheating allegations: First, Langer’s strategic placement of his ball atop a sand mound in a bunker, creating what ESPN’s Paolo Uggeti described as a “makeshift tee” that allowed him to hit a 275-yard drive with his driver rather than using a wedge to escape the hazard. Second, critics claimed Langer’s hand appeared to rest against his chest during his winning 18-foot eagle putt, potentially violating the anchoring ban implemented in 2016.Shipnuck’s assessment of Langer’s character suggests that while the German’s actions may sometimes approach the boundaries of the rules, they reflect his meticulous nature rather than deliberate cheating. “There are guys who have been caught fudging, but Bernhard is not one of those types. I know him, have covered him for a long time, talked to him, and I find him to be a very appealing person.” The golf writer then added a crucial qualifier: “He sees the world so simply and in such a binary thing that I just don’t think he would do it. Or maybe I am giving him too much credit.”Nov 11, 2021; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Bernhard Langer reacts after hitting to the green of the 17th during the first round of the Charles Schwab Cup Championship golf tournament at Phoenix Country Club. Mandatory Credit: Allan Henry-USA TODAY Sports| Courtesy: ReutersThis nuanced take illuminates the complexity of judgment in golf’s honor system. While PGA Tour Champions rules chief Joe Terry declared Langer’s actions fully compliant with the rules, the court of public opinion has been far less forgiving. The contrast was particularly stark when set against Tiger and Charlie Woods, who many fans felt played with more traditional sportsmanship. Adding another layer to the controversy was Langer’s use of forward tees based on age rules, starting approximately 50 yards ahead of Charlie and 80 yards ahead of Tiger during the crucial playoff hole—an advantage that, while perfectly legal, further fueled perceptions of an unfair playing field.But to fully understand why this controversy resonates so deeply, we need to examine Langer’s long history with rule interpretations that have raised eyebrows.Bernhard Langer’s career: marked by persistent rule interpretations controversiesThe PNC Championship incident isn’t an isolated case in Langer’s storied career. During the 1991 Ryder Cup at Kiawah Island, questions arose about whether he had improperly grounded his club in a water hazard during a crucial singles match against Hale Irwin. While officials ruled no penalty at the time, the decision remains a point of contention in golf circles more than three decades later.More persistent have been the accusations regarding Langer’s putting technique. Following the 2016 anchoring ban implemented by the USGA and R&A, Langer faced repeated scrutiny about whether his long putter technique violated the new rules. During the 2017 U.S. Senior Open and the Constellation Senior Players Championship, television close-ups suggested his forearm might have contacted his shirt during putts. Langer strongly denied these allegations, stating: “I know I don’t anchor… I wouldn’t break the rules.” The USGA and PGA Tour Champions officials repeatedly cleared him, confirming his hands were “free-swinging” with a gap from his chest.Shipnuck’s defense significantly addresses how Langer’s techniques often approach the boundaries of what’s permitted. Also, his assessment suggests that Langer’s meticulous approach to the game means he finds and exploits gray areas in the rules rather than deliberately breaking them.As the debate continues into 2025, Shipnuck’s comments offer a nuanced perspective that neither fully condemns nor completely exonerates Langer. Does exploiting rules loopholes constitute cheating, or is it simply smart golf?The post Bernhard Langer Faces Fresh Scrutiny After His Alleged Cheating Against Tiger & Charlie Woods Went Unaddressed appeared first on EssentiallySports.