Goodbyes are hard. Especially one that comes from legends, that too after a 51-year-long journey. The next few days are going to be an emotional rollercoaster for all golf fans. As Bernhard Langer prepares to close the DP World Tour chapter of his life, his tear-eyed goodbye is accompanied by a heavy-hearted “Danke Bernhard!” from his loyal fans.

With tears in his eyes and a shaky voice, the 66-year-old declared that he will end his journey with the DP World Tour with his 513th and final start at the BMW International Open this week. The event is perfect as it’s being held at the Golfclub München Eichenried in Germany, just 60 miles from Langer’s hometown of Anhausen, where it all began. Before the tournament began, the golfer shed light on how he thinks he will say goodbye to the sport that has given him everything. “I don’t know yet how I will react. I’ve never said goodbye to anything so far in terms of golf; this is going to be a first experience, and I have a feeling it’s going to be very emotional,” said Langer, and it was.

As he missed the cut at the BMW Intl Open, in the post-round presser, with tears in his eyes, he let his feelings out. “It’s hard to put into words. It’s been a dream come true for me, you know, growing up in a village of 800 people where nobody knew what golf was. Period. When I told my classmates I’m going to go play golf, they thought I was crazy and they thought I was a putt-putt golfer, mini golfer, and all that. So people had no idea and it was really a strange situation even when I finished school and I tried to become a golf professional. People didn’t even know what that was it didn’t even exist as a profession in a way so it was very difficult and complicated but uh… it was my dream and so here. I was able to live that dream for 51 years,” said the German legend.

Even though Langer’s DP World Tour chapter did not close in the way he expected it to, fans acknowledged his farewell with the exact chivalry that he rightfully deserves after having won more than 120 professional tournaments. While some fans shed light on his accomplishments through the years, others were at an evident loss for words on this emotional goodbye and simply thanked him for decades of acing through the greens. But what was it that the fans had to say?

Fans reciprocate Bernhard Langer’s heavy-hearted goodbye with the tribute he deserves.

Heavyheartedness engulfed the golf world when Langer’s goodbye came sooner than expected. Fans were quick to thank the German pro golfer for being the true living legend that he is. A fan wrote, “Legend! Danke Bernhard!” While another user on X added to the growing sentiment and wrote,  “I salute sir an inspiration to so many and thoroughly nice man….big respect to a legend,” addressing how Langer’s performance through the years has inspired generations of golfers. “He’s an absolutely incredible player and a brilliant role model for anyone with any aspirations to play the game at the highest level. Loved and admired by his peers … what greater accolade is there.” 

A user on X added,

“What a legend what a professional what a man. A lot of modern-day golfers could spend a bit of time looking at what he achieved and done and how he conducted himself,” advising the new generation of golfers to follow in the 66-year-old’s footsteps on their respective journeys and use it as inspiration. After all, Langer is one of only five players to have won professional events on all six continents where golf is played. His glorious achievements put him second on the DP World Tour’s all-time list, just behind Seve Ballesteros.

Another loyal supporter summed up the sentiment and wrote,

“His determination and longevity is unmatched a great man and golfer.” This fan’s tribute showcases how the German pro’s sportsmanship and professionalism have paved a multi-faceted legacy for him, encapsulating both sporting excellence and personal integrity.

Even after Bernhard Langer’s competitive days are fully over, what we know from his DP World Tour adieu is that his influence on golf, both on and off the course, will undoubtedly persist long after his competitive playing days.