German legend celebrates 40th anniversary of Masters debut; Mercedes-Benz commissioned artist Abucayan to create unique G-Class
In tour golf today, the age-defying achievements of Bernhard Langer are incomparable. The German legend, 64, will celebrate the 40th anniversary of his Masters debut at Augusta National this week, as golf’s first major tournament of the year unfolds.
Like Langer, the Mercedes-Benz G-Class has been blazing its own trail for more than four decades, and so it was fitting that Mercedes-Benz commissioned Atlanta-based artist Leah Abucayan to customize a special one-off edition of the G-Class with tape art to honor Langer’s remarkable career.
Langer was the first German golfer to play in the Masters, in 1982, and three years later he became the first golfer from Germany to win the Masters and wear the famous Green Jacket of Augusta National Golf Club. Langer became golf’s official world number one in 1986 and confirmed his special affinity with Augusta National when he won the Masters again in 1993.
“This is how we honor two icons – Bernhard Langer and the Mercedes-Benz G-Class,” says Bettina Fetzer, Head of Communications and Marketing at Mercedes-Benz AG. “Bernhard Langer and the G-Class have been shaping the spirit of the time for more than 40 years and are both emblematic of our campaign claim ‘Stronger than Time’.”
“I am delighted to receive this honor and am impressed by what has been created here. I have a lot in common with the G-Class. It already existed when I first competed here in 1982. Since then, we’ve both stayed true to ourselves, while at the same time always moving with the times and constantly evolving.”
Mercedes-Benz partners the Masters at Augusta National for the 15th year in 2022. Langer is joined in the select Masters field by Spain’s Jon Rahm, the reigning U.S. Open champion and Mercedes-Benz ambassador who hopes to join Langer as a Masters champion this week.
Mercedes-Benz reveals customized car to honor Langer
