Langer fears Woods may not play again

By Norman Dabell

MUNICH (Reuters) - Former world number one Bernhard Langer has raised doubts that Tiger Woods will play again.

Langer has been prone to injury himself but nothing as serious as the knee and leg injuries that have caused Woods to take the rest of the year off.

On Thursday at the BMW International Open, Langer said: "I don't know exactly what he has but I talked to a couple of physios and they said its a serious injury. There could be some chance that he might not play again -- or play to the level he has.

"I hope that won't be the case. He's very determined and he's a great athlete. We've seen it before in other athletes, that they have come back when doctors have told them they have no chance."

Langer, twice a U.S. Masters winner and twice Europe's number one, is now carving out a successful career on the American Champions tour after winning 42 times on the European Tour.

He is sure a rival for Woods will come along. "If he (Woods) stays healthy he's got another 10, 15 very good years ahead of him. But sooner or later there will be somebody coming along who is just as good or maybe better."

(Editing by Clare Lovell)