Bernhard Langer’s final foray with the DP World Tour after an incredible 50-year run didn’t go as planned as the star missed the cut Friday at the BMW International Open, shooting a 1-over 73 following an opening-round 71 in Munich in his native Germany.
“I was able to live that dream for 50 years,” the 66-year-old said. “I have wonderful memories from all over the world, not just in Europe but Asia, Australia, Japan, America, South Africa. I was able to travel the world and meet with kings and queens.
“I played golf with all sorts of people, whether they were successful businessmen or just the average butcher or bricklayer or whatever, it was fun, it was great.”
But now that Langer has finished off his career overseas is he also thinking about scaling back on the PGA Tour Champions, where he is the all-time leader with 46 victories?
It certainly doesn’t appear so. Prior to the U.S. Senior Open at Newport Country Club in Rhode Island, Langer was asked about the key to his sustained success and he insisted it came from a multitude of factors.
“There’s a lot of things. First of all, you have to be reasonably healthy, because if not, you can’t do what you want to do and can’t swing the way you want to swing,” he said. “I was born with a competitive nature, so I have a healthy drive and live a disciplined life, which probably helps. You need a great support system with coach, manager, caddie, family obviously is even more important, all of that.
“And the willingness to put in the work. I’m 66, and a lot of people say, why don’t you retire? I guess I could, but I love the game of golf and I love to compete, and I’m still good enough to compete and be up there where I think I can win tournaments.”
So at least for now, Langer will stay involved with the senior circuit, where he’s been a high-level performer on since winning Rookie of the Year honors in 2008.
This season, Langer had made the cut in all seven of his Champions starts, and has a pair of top-10 finishes, including a third-place showing at the Principal Charity Classic in June.
“When that changes, when I feel like I’m going to finish in the bottom third of the field every week I compete, then it’s probably time to quit,” he said. “Hopefully, I will know when that is.”
Langer, 66, captured 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 said 2025 will be his final time playing the Masters.
The senior schedule heats up with two majors in three weeks, starting at Firestone Country Club next week with the Kaulig Companies Championship and Langer is expected to be in the field, if for no other reason than the desire to stay active.
“I don’t drink alcohol at all. I drink a little bit, but very, very little. I don’t smoke. I exercise every day and stretch. I have done so forever since I can remember. I think that certainly helps to be reasonably fit, to have some stamina, and to feel better,” he said. “Just the body functions better when we move the body. If we become too sedentary, sooner or later you’re going to pay the price for it. I talked to my PT, physical therapist, and he said, if you lay two weeks in the hospital, just two weeks, don’t do anything, guess how much strength you lose? 50 percent. I was shocked.
“That only encourages me to do more, do something every day, instead of just laying around for a few days in a row.”
