35th BMW International Open: Great emotions at Bernhard Langer’s farewell.

+++ Last round on the DP World Tour: 15,000 fans and fellow players pay tribute to a golf legend +++ Bernhard Langer: “It’s a joy that I was able to experience this today” +++ Ewen Ferguson (SCO, -13) leads into the weekend +++ Five German players make the cut +++ Donation sum for “Eagles for Education” rises to 39,000 euros +++

Munich. At 5:32 p.m., it happened. With a par putt for a 73rd round, one of Germany’s greatest athletes concluded an almost unbelievable success story at the Golfclub München Eichenried. Bernhard Langer will not be hanging up his golf shoes, but his 513th start (42 wins) on the DP World Tour was also his last. The spectators, who again accompanied him by the thousands today, honoured the two-time Masters winner at the 18th green with Bavarian flags, minutes-long standing ovations, and many of his fellow players and companions paid their respects to the 67-year-old.

Although the best German golfer in history will not be teeing off this weekend, it was a day of joy for him. “The start was already great. The first tee-off was already very emotional and incredible. There were people everywhere, in three to ten rows. As Marcel, Martin, and I walked down the first, it was a fantastic scene. We said, ‘It’s unbelievable what’s happening here,’” said Langer. “The 18th was once again world-class. The Bavarian flags and the shouts were very emotional and incredibly great. It was an unbelievable atmosphere. I have never experienced anything like it, and it’s a joy that I was able to experience this today, that people took the journey to see me one last time. The scene was more than grand.”

In total, 15,000 visitors came to the Golfclub München Eichenried on Friday and, besides saying goodbye to a sports legend, also witnessed excellent golf. Foremost from Ewen Ferguson, who carded a 64 to the clubhouse and took the lead with a total score of 13 under par. The Scotsman is two strokes ahead of Romain Langasque (FRA). Third place is shared by Bernd Wiesberger (AUT), 2018 Masters Champion Patrick Reed (USA), the previous day’s leader David Micheluzzi (AUS), and the two Englishmen Matthew Southgate and Jordan Smith (all -8).

Langer played yesterday and today with Marcel Siem (-2, T66) and Martin Kaymer (-3, T48). While Kaymer, the only German winner of the BMW International Open (2008), made the cut, Siem was just one stroke short of also being there for the weekend.

“Playing with Martin and Marcel was the icing on the cake,” said Langer. “That the three best German golfers were allowed to play the last two rounds together was a great experience for us, a super feeling. That was probably the last time we played together in a professional tournament. It was really a lot of fun – I hope for the other two as well.”

In addition to Kaymer, German fans can look forward to Matti Schmid (-5, T24), Jannik de Bruyn (-4, T33), Jeremy Paul, and Freddy Schott (both -3, T48) in the final two rounds.

The two-time tournament winner Thomas Bjørn (DEN, 2000 & 2002) is so far playing an excellent BMW International Open and is tied for 8th place with 137 strokes (-7), as well as crowd favorite Andrew “Beef” Johnston and the 2022 BMW International Open Champion Li Haotong (CHN). However, defending champion Thriston Lawrence (RSA, -1, T80) is out.

For every eagle during the tournament week, the BMW Group, like last year, donates 1,000 euros to JOBLINGE and Kick ins Leben. The Munich organisations are committed to educational equity and equal opportunities for young people. To the 16 eagles from Thursday, 23 more were added today, so that the donation sum before the weekend is already at 39,000 euros.

Due to a storm warning for Saturday afternoon, the third round will start tomorrow in three-player flights from 7.40 a.m. from Tee 1 and Tee 10. The last group with the leader will tee off at 9:30 a.m., and the round is expected to be finished by 2:30 p.m. Please refer to the PDF document attached for the complete starting times.