Bernhard Langer

Langer earned another exemption for The Open in 2021 thanks to a record fourth Senior Open victory at Royal Lytham and St Annes in 2019, and also following a brilliant top-30 finish at the Masters of November 2020, where he became the oldest player to ever make the halfway cut. However, he ultimately opted against competing at Royal St George's as he prioritised the senior Major Championships.

His 11 senior majors - also a record – have followed Masters victories in 1985 and 1993 and 10 Ryder Cup appearances.

He made his Open debut in 1976 as an 18-year-old before twice finishing as runner-up, to Bill Rogers at Royal St George’s in 1981 and Seve Ballesteros at St Andrews three years later. Langer has also finished third at The Open four times, including on further visits to Sandwich in 1986 and 1993.

His 42 European Tour victories, second only to Ballesteros, spanned 22 years, while he captained Europe for their 2004 Ryder Cup victory in America.

Langer’s Senior Open titles include a remarkable 13-stroke win over Colin Montgomerie at Royal Porthcawl in 2014. He has won well over 100 tournaments and was elected into golf’s Hall of Fame in 2001, before being awarded an honorary OBE five years later.

His first victory at Augusta National came in 1985 by two strokes from Ballesteros, Ray Floyd and Curtis Strange, then in 1993 he finished four clear of Chip Beck. He was the first official world No. 1 in 1986.