( CNN ) -- Two-time Masters champion Bernhard Langer has withdrawn from this year 's tournament after undergoing surgery on his left thumb . The operation to repair ligament damage sustained in a cycling accident will keep Langer out of action for up to eight weeks , bringing to an end an unbroken chain of 27 appearances at the Augusta National Golf Club . `` I 'm obviously disappointed that the injury occurred , but especially disappointed with such an important part of my schedule coming up , including the Masters , '' Langer said in a statement , PGATour.com reported . `` I do , however , appreciate the fine care of Dr. Weiland and his team , and will work hard to recover to allow me to resume play on the Champions Tour this summer . '' His thumb will be in a splint for five weeks but his doctors expect him to make a full recovery . Langer won his first Green Jacket in 1985 -- becoming only the second European player to win the tournament after Seve Ballesteros -- before going on to claim a second title in 1993 . The 53-year-old , who turned professional in 1976 , has enjoyed a sparkling career winning 42 times on the European Tour . He was also an integral part of Europe Ryder Cup team during their resurgence during the 1980s and 1990s , making a total of ten appearances as a player and one as captain in 2004 when Europe won by their biggest margin in the competition 's history . In 2007 , Langer joined the PGA Champions Tour and has become one of it 's most successful players winning a total of 14 titles . The most recent of these came at the ACE Group Classic in February . Last December , Langer was crowned Champions Tour Player of the Year after claiming five titles during the 2010 season . This year 's Masters tournament gets underway on April 7 .
Bernhard Langer will miss the 2011 Masters tournament for first time in 28 years . The German golfer was a member of the winning team at Augusta National from 1971-75, and has not played since 1996. German crowned Masters champion in 1985 and 1993 .