The two-time Masters champion and Ryder Cup legend will once again tee it up at WINSTONgolf, giving German fans the chance to celebrate his remarkable career. With more than 120 professional victories worldwide, a record 12 senior Majors, and status as the second-highest Ryder Cup points scorer of all time – as well as Europe’s winning Ryder Cup captain in 2004 – Langer is rightly regarded as one of the game’s greats.
“To play again in front of a home crowd at WINSTONgolf is very special for me. The atmosphere is always incredible, and I’m really looking forward to one more chance to compete here,” said Langer.
“WINSTONgolf is a special place for me – not only because of the course, but also because of the people. The WINSTON Senior Open places high demands on precision and strategy – that’s exactly what I like. And of course, it’s always special to play in front of a German audience.”
Tournament director Stefanie Merchel emphasised the importance of Langer’s participation: “With Bernhard Langer, we welcome not only one of the most successful golfers of all time, but also a long-time friend and ambassador for WINSTONgolf. His playing is a special honour for us and underlines the significance of the WINSTONgolf Senior Open on the Legends Tour. We invite all golf fans to watch Bernhard in the special atmosphere of our tournament.”
Also in the field will be another home favourite, Thomas Gögele, who enters Vorbeck on the back of a string of decent results in 2025, and defending champion Van Phillips, who claimed his maiden Legends Tour title in thrilling fashion at WINSTONgolf last year after a nail-biting play-off win over Adilson da Silva and Phillip Archer.
After bogeying the 72nd to lose his lead, Phillips regrouped in the play-off, eventually sealing victory at the fourth extra hole with a superb wedge to 18 inches for a tap-in birdie. The win was his first on the Legends Tour and Phillips is relishing the chance to defend his title at a venue that now holds special significance in his career.
“It’s great coming back as champion, I feel very lucky to be defending the WINSTONgolf Senior Open and very proud to have won the event,” said Phillips. “This is a special stop on the calendar as the courses and practice facilities are world-class. Looking back on that final day last year, I went through all of the cliches of not trying to think about winning, staying present, one shot at a time, all that stuff. I really just played very steadily, got a couple under quite early and wasn’t really looking at scoreboards.
“I was aware that Phil Archer in front was playing well. We were the last group, so I didn’t want to get too embroiled in playing match play with my two partners because I knew the game in front was scoring well too. So I was trying to just stay focused on my own score and go as low as I could. I wasn’t really aware that I was leading until the 18th! It didn’t bother me that I bogeyed the last; it was just a case of okay, where’s the next hole? Let’s get on with it.
“I’ve actually got a 5-0 win record in play-offs, so I seem to play them well for whatever reason. I won the Portuguese Open in a play-off on the main tour. Last year was a long play-off, over four holes, so it was just a case of keeping going. Then on the fourth hole I had a great yardage – about 70 yards, which is a perfect three-quarter lob wedge. So just take aim and trust my technique. And luckily it went stone dead.”
Uniquely, the 2025 tournament will once again see a number of former Ladies European Tour players in the field, including Patricia Beliard, Elisabeth Esterl, Ellen Smets and Solheim Cup legend Helen Alfredsson.
“It’s great to be playing this week, it’s important to show that we can still play, that we still can hit the ball,” said Sweden’s Alfredsson. “Having a mixture is good, and it’s something that I know they are trying to do, even on the main tours now also. For us here, who are all a little older, it’s just about enjoying each other’s company and having fun because we all kind of grew up together. We all know each other from when we were in our ‘20s, and we were young and strong and cool and now we all have our different aches and pains.”
Alfredsson is also looking forward to the challenge of WINSTONgolf. “I never played here before, but it’s an absolute delight. It’s so much fun to play. I love it when the golf course feels like part of the environment, and there’s not a house to be seen anywhere. They’ve done a great job of just figuring out a way to make the golf course a part of the natural surroundings. It’s going to be a great week.”
With a stellar field, a course renowned for its tactical demands and the unique atmosphere of WINSTONgolf, the 2025 edition promises another week of high drama, world-class golf and a celebration of legends in Vorbeck.
Free tickets are now available for the WINSTONgolf Senior Open.
CLICK HERE to register for free tickets.
