Bernhard Langer is finally rounding back into form after a freak thumb injury last year kept him out of golf. While on a bicycle ride near his home in Florida early in 2011, he stopped at a traffic signal and pushed the button to activate the traffic signal with his thumb.  He felt something pop and the freak injury cost him significant time off the tour last year. 

After subsequent healing and rehabilitation, he has regained top form. In 17 Champions Tour events this year Bernhard has 14 top-10 finishes.  His win at the SAS Championship last week was his second of the season to go along with four runner-up finishes and one third place.

He has accumulated $1.8 million in earnings and now leads Tom Lehman in the Charles Schwab points list by a mere 69 points.

The Charles Schwab Cup is awarded to the player who accumulates the highest number of points throughout the Champions Tour season. Points are awarded to the top-10 finishers in each event. 

The winner of the Charles Schwab Cup earns a $1 million bonus and is recognized as the most consistent player on the Champions Tour.

It appears that with just two events remaining on the Champions Tour schedule plus the season ending Charles Schwab Championship the Cup and the $1 million that goes with it has come down to a two-man race between Langer and Lehman.

Tom Lehman has led for the majority of the year and could regain the lead with a strong finish in the last three events.  Lehman has one win, three second place, two third place and 10 top-10’ finishes throughout the year.

Both men have a history with the Charles Schwab Cup.  Langer won it in 2010 and Lehman won it last year.