German Golfer Bernhard Langer Tears His Achilles Tendon Ahead of Plans to Compete in the 2024 Masters

The athlete previously won the Masters in 1985 and again in 1993

Bernhard Langer has hit a setback in his golfing career.

The 66-year-old German golfer said in a statement, which was shared through the PGA Tour, that he tore his Achilles tendon while exercising and had surgery on Friday, according to The Associated Press.

“Yesterday, during training exercises in Boca Raton, I tore my Achilles tendon. I will have surgery today to repair the injury, which will cause me to miss time playing competitive golf as I recover,” Langer said.

He continued, “Throughout my career, faith and family have been my bedrocks, providing me strength and guiding me through difficult times. I will lean on both as I work towards a return to competition.”

The PGA Tour did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for comment.

Related: Bernhard Langer Says 'Big Challenge' Lies Ahead as He Aims to Make Masters Cut at 64

Langer did not say in his statement how long his recovery will take. After surgery, an Achilles tendon can take several months to heal, however, according to the Hospital for Special Surgery.

Because of the length of time for his recovery, Langer will miss out on the 2024 Masters Tournament, which is taking place at the Augusta National Golf Course in Georgia in April.

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Langer said in a conference call on Wednesday, ahead of the Chubb Classic in Florida, “It’s going to be very emotional, especially Augusta, 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, per the AP. "It’s going to be a tough farewell for me, walking up the 18th the last time in competitive circumstances.”

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Langer, who won the Masters in 1985 and again in 1993, previously discussed the "big challenge" ahead of him as he began the road to returning 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 then. "When I was in my 20s and 30s, I would play the course as much as I could. Just get out there and play the course, probably three times, 18 holes before the tournament started."

He added that he had the drive to run it all the way back to the Masters.

"We all practice and strive to win at any level. At any time you tee it up and compete, you'd love to win," he explained to PEOPLE of continuing in the sport. "And once you've experienced it, you want it again and again."

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