Bernhard Langer will make a sentimental return to the course which began his love affair with The Ryder Cup when he defends his Senior Open Championship title at Walton Heath Golf, in England, from July 24-27.
The German, who returns to action in this week’s Berenberg Bank Masters after three months out with a thumb injury, made his Ryder Cup debut at the Surrey venue 30 years ago, as a continental European Team took on the United States for the first time on European soil.
Langer went on to feature in a further ten Ryder Cups, nine as a player winning five times, and once as the Captain of the record breaking European Team at Oakland Hills Country Club in 2004.
Now the leading player on the senior circuit, where he is joined by his contemporaries from that seminal 1981 contest, Langer has fond memories of when he first stepped out into The Ryder Cup arena at Walton Heath.
“I was fortunate enough to play in a couple of European Opens at Walton Heath before making my first Ryder Cup appearance there in 1981,” he said. “I loved it straight away. It’s parkland but with a ‘linksy’ look and feel to it. I enjoy the heathland, the trees and the bunkering – all in all a great inland course in the mould of Sunningdale.
“I haven’t been back for quite a number of years so I am very excited to defend my Senior Open title there. My Ryder Cup debut was obviously a memorable part of my life and I was pleased to win one and a half points from my four starts, although we lost to one of the strongest American teams in history. It was the start of my love affair with the Ryder Cup.”
Partnering Manuel Piñero, Langer defeated Ray Floyd and Hale Irwin in Fourballs before halving his Singles match against Bruce Lietzke, as Europe lost 18½ to 9½ to one of strongest United States Team in the competition’s history.
Langer, who was crowned the first World Number One in 1986, is now undisputedly the leading player on the Senior circuit, topping the US Champions Tour Money list for a third consecutive year in 2010.
He underlined his dominance by winning his maiden Senior Major at Carnoustie last July, holding off the challenge of 2010 Ryder Cup Captain Corey Pavin, before going on to win the US Senior Open the following week.
“It will be great to return to Walton Heath with two Major titles to defend in successive weeks,” said Langer. “Majors were elusive on the regular Tour, so to win two Senior Majors in a row was a great feeling.
“Winning at Carnoustie was fantastic as I love the course and it was set up perfectly. Then to fly straight to the West Coast of America for the US Senior Open, with an eight hour time change, and to manage to win was quite a ride. It was a special two weeks in my career.”
Langer is one of several players from The 1981 Ryder Cup set to return to Walton Heath in July. He will be joined by Europeans including Sam Torrance and Sandy Lyle, as well as Americans Tom Watson and Tom Kite.
Advance tickets are now on sale at discounted prices to see the returning 1981 Ryder Cup players at Walton Heath as part of the 25th edition of The Senior Open Championship. Tickets booked before July 1 are now available at £60 for a season pass and any one day passes at £16.50. Visitwww.europeantourtickets.comor call +44 (0) 800 023 2557.
Fans of golf, horse racing and live music will also have a unique opportunity to indulge their passions through the ‘Three for One’ promotion run jointly by The Senior Open Championship and Epsom Downs racecourse.
For just £40, customers can enjoy a day watching The Senior Open Championship, played at Walton Heath Golf Club from July 21-24, and gain admission to any one of the five ‘Epsom Live!’ events held at the nearby racecourse in June and July.
The ‘Epsom Live!’ experience combines top quality horse racing over the Derby course with concerts from world famous bands such as Texas (June 30), Beach Boys (July 7), Scouting for Girls (July 14), The Wanted (July 21) and Blondie (July 28).
