It was an impressive effort, as is the case with Bernhard Langer, but it was not enough to qualify for the BMW International Open.
Shooting 1-over 73 on Friday in Munich, Germany, Langer finished third on the final cut-off line, ending his final DP World Tour appearance.
Langer, 66, has made 513 appearances on the European Tour. He has won 42 times, only Seve Ballesteros (50). His national open was never part of that victory, but it was the best way to say goodbye, ending the cycle of more than five decades as a professional.
“It is difficult to express it in words. “It’s a dream come true,” Langer said, fighting back tears. “I’ve been living this dream for 50, 51 years. “
He did not fall without a fight. After starting with a score below 71, Langer battled for one-on-one on day two. Tied for the tournament and needing an eagle to stand a chance this weekend, Langer pulled the rider off the bridge for his second shot on the par 5. 18. Th. His ball spotted the water, but went up and down to reach par, making a 10-foot run for a smart lap (the cup came in at 3 under par).
Langer had intended to say goodbye to the Masters in April, but injured his Achilles tendon while playing pickleball in February. He returned less than three months later, delaying his farewell to Augusta until 2025, and has since played six times on the PGA Tour. Champions.
Langer has long been a wonder in the game. He worked as an assistant pro at the nearby Munich Country Club and turned professional in 1972, when, as he described it, “people didn’t know what it meant” to make a living playing golf. It took him 8 years to win his first European Tour title, but that led to 41 more, including the 1985 and 1993 Masters tournaments (plus a regular PGA Tour title, the 1985 occasion at Harbor Town, the week after his first major).
Along the way, he competed in 10 European Ryder Cups and captained the winning team in 2004 (9-point thrashing of the United States on American soil).
The German also overcame battles with howling throughout his career and what may have been a devastating moment in 1991, when his missed 5-foot shot helped the United States win the famous “War Through the Shore” Ryder Cup in Kiawah. Island.
“I’ve had a lot of ups and downs in my career,” he said. There were physical moments with howling and other things. But I had many glorious moments. It’s a privilege to play with the Big Five. “as they called it.
They would be Langer, Ballesteros, Ian Woosnam, Nick Faldo and Sandy Lyle. They all won majors, they all entered the World Golf Hall of Fame and all, so far, Lyle reached world No. 1, with Langer being the first to do so. when official world golf ratings declined in 1985.
They also helped lead continental Europe to the Ryder Cup in 1979 and changed the course of biennial competition. Europe have won or retained the cup thirteen times in the last 19 matches.
“I think we encourage others,” Langer said of his legendary contemporaries. “I think we probably made the [European] excursion in the early ’80s and ’90s what it is today, what it has become. “
After turning 50 in 2007, Langer won his first Champions League opportunity and continued to win. His victory at last year’s US Senior Open marked his tour-record 46th victory, which he plans to continue playing.
“I was able to see the world, meet kings and queens. Playing golf with all kinds of people, whether they’re successful entrepreneurs or just an average butcher or bricklayer, or whatever,” Langer said.
“Wonderful memories, all over the world. “
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