Bernhard Langer will end this year without a victory he can call his own, yet it might be one of the most satisfying seasons of his career.

At age 45, he played in the Ryder Cup for the 10th time and was sensational in a partnership with Colin Montgomerie. They never trailed in winning their three matches, and Langer never trailed in his singles victory against Hal Sutton.

In a fitting end to the European tour season, Langer and Montgomerie agreed to share the title at the Volvo Masters when darkness covered Valderrama after two playoff holes failed to determine a winner.

The next treat comes Friday night when Langer is inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame, taking his place among the best who ever played.

The recognition is overdue for Langer, one of golf’s classiest characters.

Langer doesn’t get any style points. The German’s legacy is building Hall-of-Fame credentials by squeezing everything out of the game, the master of detail who never left anything to chance.

Germany's Bernhard Langer watches his shot during the Volvo Masters, where he shared first place with Colin Montgomerie after two playoff holes when play was halted because of darkness. This year has been one of the most satisfying of Langer's career, even though he doesn't have a tournament victory he can call his own.

Most of the attention at the induction ceremony will be on another two-time Masters champion, Ben Crenshaw, and his swing coach, Harvey Penick. The other inductees are former U.S. Open champion Tommy Bolt, U.S. and British Open champion Tony Jacklin and LPGA founder Marlene Hagge.

None of them played at such a high level for such a long time as Langer.

“The guy is 45 and still plays to the highest level, and that’s a magnificent achievement,” Thomas Bjorn said. “Golfers don’t come any more professional than Bernhard.”

Langer went 16 consecutive seasons on the European tour with at least one victory, and twice won the Order of Merit.