Bernhard Langer © Gallo Images
Bernhard Langer's half-century-long career in Europe has come to an end.
Langer missed the cut at the BMW International Open on Friday, shooting a 71 in his first-round match in his hometown of Munich, Germany before finishing with a one-over-par 73 and failing to make the cut.
Langer, 66, first played on what is now the DP World Tour in 1974. His 42 victories on the tour are second only to the late Spaniard Seve Ballesteros.
In 1986, Langer rose to world number one.
“I’ve been living this dream for 50 years,” he said. “I have wonderful memories all over the world, not only in Europe, but also in Asia, Australia, Japan, the United States, South Africa. I was able to travel the world and meet kings and queens.
“I play golf with all kinds of people, whether they’re successful business people or just ordinary butchers or masons or whatever, and it’s fun, it’s great.”
Bernhard Langer gets emotional speaking to the media after his final match on the DP World Tour. 🥲 pic.twitter.com/MDcQ3DWjb2
— Golf Digest (@GolfDigest) July 5, 2024
But that wasn't the end of Langer's career. He went on to play on the PGA Tour Champions Tour and won 12 majors, most recently the 2023 U.S. Senior Open. Last month, he attempted to defend his U.S. Senior Open title and made the cut, finishing tied for 42nd.
Langer won 123 titles in his career, including the 1985 and 1993 Masters titles. He had planned to play his final Masters match last April, but he tore his Achilles tendon two months ago and had to undergo surgery.
Langer also compiled a Ryder Cup record of 21 wins, 15 losses and 6 ties, and led Europe to the 2004 Ryder Cup title at Oakland Hills in Michigan.
Former Cup teammate Thomas Bjorn said Langer would be missed on the DP World Tour.
“You will never meet a more gentlemanly person in the game than Bernhard Langer,” Bjorn said, according to the tour’s website.
“It was an honor and a pleasure to be around him… I played a lot of golf tournaments with him, a lot of practice golf with him, and he always made me feel welcome.”
