It’s the end of an era.
Bernhard Langer, the most succesful male German golfer of all time, is playing in the BMW International Open in Munich for the last time this week. In fact, this event marks his 513th and final start on the DP World Tour.
Langer, 66, won 42 DP World Tour titles (in addition to his three PGA Tour and 46 PGA Tour Champions wins). He was originally planning to make the 2024 Masters his final trip to Augusta National but suffered an Achilles injury in February and has since since that 2025 will be his final time playing the Masters.
Langer’s return to Munich will be his first since 2012.
“I don’t know yet (how I will react),” he said. “I’ve never said goodbye to anything so far in terms of golf, this is going to be a first experience and I have a feeling it’s going to be very emotional.”
This is the 35th year of the BMW, Germany’s longest-running pro golf tournament. John Daly holds the mark for lowest score – 27 under – in 2001.
“I grew up about 45 minutes from here,” Langer said. “I worked as an assistant professional 30 minutes from here at Munich Country Club. I have a lot of friends, some relatives and just people that have been with me, supported me for many, many years in the game of golf, and obviously I’ve played this tournament many times. It’s the only one I haven’t won yet in Germany. So it was always tricky, but I’m glad to be back.”
This is the fourth of five tournaments on the DP World Tour’s European Swing but the sixth and final of those events that count towards the Race to Dubai Ranking. Also on the line this week is a spot in the 152nd Open Championship at Royal Troon for those not already in the field.