Two time Masters champion Bernhard Langer has produced countless memorable moments during his career, but few can match the remarkable "tree shot" he attempted at the 1981 International Open.

To save par on August 23, the German did the unthinkable.

"Everybody laughed, but I didn't find it funny at all. I know I could have taken a penalty drop, but I preferred to play the shot because that gave me a chance of getting up and down to save my par," said Langer in a video shared by DP World Tour on X.

In the third round, Langer hit a 9-iron shot into an ash tree. It was located just to the side of the green at the 17th hole. Somehow, the ball had managed to rest among the branches.

In that situation, a penalty drop would've been the most conventional decision. However, Langer chose the road less traveled.

"But it was scary climbing that tree. I stood on my golf bag, and two or three spectators helped to shove me up, but I had to do the last bit on my own, and my muscles tightened up. I was really worried because when it came to playing the shot, I could have lost my balance, but in the end I made it," Langer added.

With the crowd behind him, Langer climbed 20 feet up the tree with the help of spectators and successfully played the shot back onto the green, finishing the day with a five-under-par 67.

Langer's theatrics became famous worldwide. When he arrived in the U.S. for the World Series, he heard people calling him, "Look, it's the man in the tree!"

Langer ended up tied for second at the International Open, one stroke behind 16-time PGA Tour winner Tom Weiskopf.

It was just another runner-up finish for the German, who went on to dominate on the European Tour and around the world.

Langer’s legacy in the sport

Langer dominated the 1980s and 1990s. In 1986, he became the sport's first No. 1-ranked player following the creation of the Sony Ranking (now the Official World Golf Ranking).

Langer racked up 42 wins on the European Tour according to his DP World Tour official page, which makes him the second-most successful player of all time on the circuit. He also secured two Masters titles in 1985 and 1993.

The German is also one of just five golfers to win professional events on all six continents where golf is played and currently holds the record for the most victories on the PGA Tour Champions.

Langer's legacy is unmatched, and moments like this helped him build a fanbase around the world.

What are your thoughts on Langer's tree shot? Share them in the comments.

Follow Club Golf for more.

Written by

Avishek Sarkar

Edited by

Pulkit Prabhav