German · Anhausen, Germany · Born 27 August 1957German golfer renowned for longevity, winning two Masters titles and dominating the senior tour with 47 wins.
Bernhard Langer was born on 27 August 1957 in Anhausen, Bavaria, West Germany, and suffered several serious illnesses in early childhood that twice put his life in jeopardy before age five. He was introduced to golf at eight, when his older brother began working as a caddie, and Bernhard soon followed him onto the course before turning professional himself at just 15 in 1972. Langer won his first professional tournament, the German National Open, in 1974, and went on to become one of the finest and most consistent golfers of the 1980s, winning the Masters Tournament in both 1985 and 1993, becoming the first German ever to win a men's major championship. Langer became the first player in history to reach world No. 1 when the Official World Golf Ranking launched in 1986, and won 42 titles on the European Tour, second all-time behind only Seve Ballesteros, while representing Europe in ten Ryder Cups and captaining the winning European team in 2004. Langer has enjoyed unprecedented success since turning 50, becoming the all-time leader in wins on the PGA Tour Champions with 47 victories and a record 12 senior major championships, continuing to compete at the highest level of senior golf well into his sixties, a testament to the remarkable longevity of his career.
First German major champion; PGA Tour Champions all-time wins record
How They Played
Methodical, precise putting and course management
Lasting Impact
One of Europe's greatest golfers and most successful senior players
Career Honours
- 2x Masters Champion
- first-ever OWGR World No.1 1986
- PGA Tour Champions record 47 wins
- 10 Ryder Cup appearances
German Athletes