Golf - Langer enjoys farewell tournament: good start with account joke
After the pleasant start at Bernhard Langer's last Munich tournament, the three German golf greats celebrated with water. German golf legend Langer and the recently victorious Marcel Siem both remained under par in their opening rounds, with Langer shooting one under and Siem two under. Martin Kaymer was even better, with a score of three under.
"It was great fun with Martin and Marcel. Those guys hit a wonderful ball," said Langer. "I'm glad I was there and could enjoy it with my colleagues." The 66-year-old veteran reacted just as calmly when Siem made a joke at Langer's expense.
What he would like about the German golf icon was asked of Siem. "His bank account," joked the Ratingen native, giving Langer a hug and quickly adding, "And his strategic play."
German Trio with a Good Start
Many spectators accompanied the trio to the course early in the competition. Langer was already awake after a short night. "I was surprised at how well I felt with so little sleep," said the two-time Major winner, whose alarm clock rang at 4:45 am after a night of long sleep interruptions.
The jetlag from the operation five months after the Achilles tendon rupture did not prevent Langer from having a good start. The native of Anhausen near Augsburg managed two birdies, or two holes under par. He had needed one more shot for a birdie on the previous hole.
Kaymer finished the first of four rounds three under par at Golfclub München Eichenried after a bogey and four birdies. "I had a great round and a great day," said Kaymer. "It's just a great energy in the group. I would have liked to play a few more holes."
Kaymer aims for German EM Quarterfinal
The 39-year-old has the opportunity to do so on Friday, when he plays with Langer and Siem (43) again. However, he won't be able to start until midday, which poses a problem for football fan Kaymer. "I hope we finish soon," said the professional from Mettmann, looking ahead to the EM quarterfinal between Germany and Spain.
Kaymer, who was the only German winner of the traditional tournament in Munich's north in 2008, is aiming for a top placement this time as well. The prize money amounts to 2.5 million dollars (around 2.3 million Euros), of which 425,000 dollars (around 390,000 Euros) goes to the winners. Langer is not among the title contenders. He hopes to make his farewell on the DP World Tour worthwhile until Sunday.
Langer goes calmly into the weekend
"Overall, I'm very satisfied. Whether I make the cut or not, we'll see. In any case, I'll enjoy the atmosphere," said Langer, who has worked as a golf instructor in Munich for the past three and a half years. He will continue his career only on the World Tour and will no longer tee off in Munich.
Bernhard Langer's final tournament in Munich was part of the DP World Tour, also known as the European Tour. This event, named the BMW Open, is held annually in the beautiful Bavarian city of Munich. Langer shared his joy with fellow German golfer Marcel Siem, who had a stellar performance in the tournament.
Germany's Martin Kaymer, who is also a fan of soccer, expressed his excitement about the upcoming EURO 2020 quarterfinal between Germany and Spain. Despite his love for soccer, he aimed to finish his rounds early to catch the match.
The German golf scene was well-represented in the BMW Open, with Langer, Siem, and Kaymer all making impressive starts. Another German player, Marcel Siem, jokingly mentioned Bernhard Langer's significant wealth as one of his admirable aspects.
The BMW International Open, a different tournament but still part of the German golf calendar, has also seen a German victory. Martin Kaymer, in 2008, took home the title at this prestigious event, which is held in Italy.
The BMW Open and the BMW International Open are not the only golf tournaments associated with BMW. The company has a strong tie with the sport, as evidenced by their sponsorship of various events worldwide. This partnership has helped promote golf and attract a larger audience to the sport.
