Bernhard Langer shines at the debut of his farewell concert

He left punctually for the morning shift, wearing a shirt and with a huge crowd at the tenth tee, his first hole, and then at every hole on the course in Munich where the BMW Open is held, the tournament that serves as a farewell to the European Tour for the 66-year-old German golf and sporting legend Bernhard Langer.

He hopes it’s Sunday, his farewell, and not next Friday with the cut.

Longer, results

Just look at how the German performed, four months after injuring (and operating on) his Achilles heel. He recorded two birdies, one bogey and all pars for a sub-par round of 71, top 60, five strokes behind the home club leader, Australian David Michelozzi (66).

Of the 78 golfers who played in the morning session, only 27 had a better result than Langer. “The atmosphere was spectacular, it was really an incredible day, very exciting,” Langer said in the mixed zone.

“At 7.40 in the morning there was no one on the tee, there were a lot of people, and I think for the public it was also a very special and exciting day, a day full of fun; it was a pleasure to play with Marcel (Siem) and Martin (Kaymer)” (his teammates).

“I’ve known them for a long time, we’ve traveled the world together several times, Siem won last week…, and I’m proud that there are now many young German players on the circuit. It took time, but it worked out and that fills me with pride and satisfaction,” added the successful captain of the 2004 Ryder Cup.

Dane Thomas Bjorn, who at the time was also Langer’s winning captain of the Ryder (2018), wrote in a tweet: “All my appreciation to a man who has moved mountains for golfers all over the world.” Langer will turn 67 in 23 days.

Last week he played the US Senior Open on a course, Newport Country Club, just over 6,300 yards. On Monday he finished, crossed the pond and this Thursday he recorded one under par on Golfclub München Eichenried, a course of over 6,700 yards. “I hit more 3-woods and 2-hybrids in this round than I did in the last two weeks combined.

“This course is absolutely not suited to my game,” said the German legend, laughing. As for the Spaniards, Pablo Larrazábal and veteran Miguel Ángel Jiménez each gave cards of 70 (-2). The Catalan is rushing to use his last distant options to get into the British Open: win this tournament for the third time this week or next time in the Scottish Open.

Alfredo García Heredia (-1) and Adri Arnaus (-1) also started under par, with Santi Tarrio on even par and Adrián Otaegui on 73 (+1). As for the head, a great start for American Patrick Reed (67, -5), who is looking for his first victory on a circuit since 2021.