Ian Woosnam

World class golfer who was ranked Number 1 in 1991 and who has won most major tournaments

Born:

02 MAR 1958

Place of Birth:

Oswestry

"Life's too short to spend all the time in the gym. I just like to have a few beers and enjoy myself" Ian Woosnam

Trivia:

Ian Woosnam flies his own aeroplane and has an artificial putting green next to his home.

Biography:

Ian Woosnam was born on a dairy farm in Oswestry in Shropshire - just across the border - on 2nd March 1958. But even though he was born in England, his parents are both Welsh and he has always considered himself a Welshman.

Nicknamed Woosie, he was only seven years old when he took up his first club. He learnt to play in the local golf club of Llanymynech in Powys, where 15 of the holes are in Wales and three are over the border in Shropshire.

The club's website recounts the reaction of some members when Woosie first announced his intention to go professional in the 1970s:

"A group of former clubmates and county player colleagues spent days pleading with him not to take such a drastic step because they reckoned he was no better than thousands of other single player amateurs, including themselves, and one day would come to regret the foolish decision".

Beans and Greens

They were perhaps too pessimistic - although his early years as a professional were difficult. After qualifying for the European Tour, he spent the next five years driving around the continent in a VW camper van, living on baked beans.

During this time, he won only about £6,000 but he kept at it and was eventually rewarded with victory in the 1982 Swiss Open.

In 1987, he won a total of eight tournaments and topped the money list on the European Tour, becoming the first European to earn more than a million dollars in one season.

In 1988, he won the British PGA Championship. Three years and several more trophies later, he was ranked Number One in the world and a week later he was celebrating victory in one of the most prestigious tournaments in the golfing world - the 1991 US Masters title.

Some of his other big successes include the European Open (1988), the Scottish Open (1987 and 1990), the Irish Open (1988 1989), the Dunhill Cup (1985-1986, 1988-1991, 1993).

He has also played consistently in the PGA European Tour Events and has represented Wales more than 15 times in the World Cup.

Welsh Wizard

Ian Woosnam notched up another record in 2001 when he won the Cisco World Match Play tournament at Wentworth.

In what was described as a thrilling contest, the Welsh Wizard became the first player ever to win the championship three decades in a row (in 1987, 1990, 2001). At 43, he was also the oldest to take the title.

Luck hasn't always been with him. In 2001, Woosnam lost two strokes and his chance of winning the British Open at Lytham for having the wrong number of clubs in his bag. The Welshman stuck by his caddie Miles Byrne at the time - but sacked him two weeks later after he overslept and missed the first tee at the Scandinavian Masters. Woosnam had to break into his locker to get his golf shoes as his caddie had the key.

Ryder Cup

On his 47th birthday in March 2005, it was announced that Ian Woosnam had been chosen to captain the European Team in the 2006 Ryder Cup. He has played consistently for the team since 1983 and as Vice Captain in 2002, he helped lead the team to victory at the Belfry.

""What a fantastic way to celebrate my birthday and this is something I will cherish for the rest of my life, " Woosnam said after the announcement.

"This makes me feel very proud, especially as Wales has such a great tradition of producing Ryder Cup captains," he said.

Only 5ft 4in tall, Woosnam is considered one of the longest hitters in the game. In addition to golf, he lists his interests as fishing, sports and snooker (he succeeded Lord Archer as President of the World Snooker Association in 1999). He has his own private jet.

He and his wife Glendryth have three children and live in Jersey but are frequent visitors to Wales.

More on the Ryder Cup captaincy from BBC Sport

your comments

Don McCrimmon
Stumbled across a pro-am tournament at the Bay Hill Country Club in Florida in the late 1980's when on holiday and met Woosie mid-round amongst several other golfing super-stars...but he was the only player to take time out, have a friendly chat and smile for the camera...twice, as we later realised it had stuck and humbly begged for another chance! Gratious as ever, he put his arm around our shoulders and smiled yet again for the camera. Celtic captain - there's only one choice.
Wed Jan 28 10:23:33 2009

John Bull Liverpool
Well done, Woosie. Glad to see a fellow Englishman doing so well. You can talk all you like bout being Welsh, but you were born in England and you can't change that! Keep up the good work. You're a top bloke!
Tue Dec 9 10:28:11 2008

Luke Derbyshire,Heswall
As a lad growing up watching woosnam go at it with the best in the world was fantastic-thanks woosie and good luck on the senior tour
Mon Oct 13 11:47:20 2008

Mike L., Illinois, USA
I'm also 5'4" and would like to know the stats on your clubs (lie,& length). Every time I take a lesson they try to get me into positions that Tiger would be in. I tell them I'm built more like Woosie and would like to swing like him. getting the right club specks would help a lot. Thanks.
Tue Apr 8 09:19:31 2008

Dennis Osborn, Nottingham
I have heard the that you have been diagnosed with Ankylosing Spondylitis. I am also a sufferer and my eldest son. We would all benefit if in your position help with the awareness of our disease and help fund raise look forward to your comments, dennis.
Tue Apr 1 12:08:21 2008

Bill Nixon W.Mids
Are Ian Woosnam and Phil Woosnam (Who played football for Aston Villa and Wales) related?
Wed Mar 12 09:12:31 2008

Nick Essex
Ian officialy opend our former golf course back in the early 90's in Warminster, Wiltshire, i was only 13 and was allowed to carry his clubs when he played a couple of holes for the members and then had dinner, What a top man, very funny i remember he had everyone in stitches at the dinner table. Golf Legend as far as im concerned.
Mon Feb 25 16:57:59 2008

Woosnam
I love reading about the Woosnam family name I was called woosie at school and I didn't like it. I think I was too sensitive, I'm hopng to find out about the woosnams who migrated to australia.
Wed Jan 23 09:27:09 2008

Bill Johns from Tucson Arizona
I just bought a new home on Woosnam Way in Tucson (Oro Valley), AZ. No one here knows who you are and why the developer ever named the street after you (it is on a golf course). Tiger Woods Way would have been easier to spell and explain to people. If you are ever in Tucson (Rancho Vistoso golf course) we would love to meet you. After all - we get to see your name on the street sign everyday.
Sun Sep 30 11:00:54 2007

Greg Thomas from Aberkenfig
I often dream about playing in the Maesteg Pro Am with Woosie and Beefy. Years ago I sent Woosie a letter wishing him every success and simply addressed the envelope Ian Woosnam Golf Professional. I was delighted to receive a signed photo to my friends' amazement which I have always kept on my golf locker door to wind my mates up. Come and have a couple of pints with beefy and Gregwahhhhhhh.
Sun Jul 22 21:23:22 2007

Alexander Woosnam
My dad is John William Edward Woosnam.
Mon Jun 18 10:18:26 2007

Christopher Woosnam
Hi my last name is Woosnam and I love golf.A nd I want to be a golfer like you. I`m 9 and do golf lessons.
Sun Jun 3 21:02:43 2007

Ron Helps, Newton Abbot.
I would like you to convey my get well soon message to Ian Woosnam, I admire his achievements to date. I walked with him to the first tee at Royal St Georges Open, 1st round. I did not remind him off the letter I sent him previously, when he was having putting problems, of which he kindly replied with a signed photograph. I hope to have the pleasure of playing with him one day,so get well soon Ian.
Mon May 28 17:04:51 2007

Emyr Court from Llanrwst
I am in Betws y Coed golf club and I think you should try it. How can you be a pro? I wish that I was in the Ryder cup, The Masters and the Pga tour.
Fri Apr 27 09:33:33 2007

Barry Wilkins USA
Woosie you are one of a kind.Slog it from the right side was the best advice I ever had. Thank you.
Mon Apr 9 13:44:26 2007

Alexander Woosnam
I love you im in your family.
Tue Mar 6 10:51:53 2007

A Jay, East Lothian, Scotland
You will allways be the best golfer i have ever seen
Tue Dec 19 09:39:08 2006

Michael Edwards
I am on the committe of Shropshire Wooden Spoon Childrens Charity. I am also a regular golfer at Ian's home course of Llanymynech. We have an annual charity golf day at Wrekin Golf Club on 11 June 07 and I would like to invite Ian as a guest of honour and to say a few words on the day - I have a few contacts at Llanymynech Gof Club but would like to contact Ian directly about this - can you help??
Wed Nov 15 10:33:25 2006

Dorothy Compton Stranraer Scotland
Well done,Woosie. My mother was Dorothy Gethin from Mochdre, Newtown. I have been told we have family connections thouh I've no idea how.
Tue Sep 26 16:11:36 2006

david philp port isaac cornwall
We all rooting for you wozzee Hope u have a great week
Tue Sep 19 15:42:01 2006

Steve Turner, Colchester
I'm reading the (auto) biography at the moment- what a sportsman, and an inspiring story. I know he'll be bringing all his passion (and a lot of judgement) to his Captaincy- all the best, Ian! Hope to meet you one day.
Sun Dec 11 00:12:45 2005

Ozzy from Perth, Scotland
I own the "Extra Large 15 Club Golfbag". It was sold to me by my cousin who was given it by Lee Westwood. Lee decided it was too good to be thrown away, after he retreived it from the spot it was dumped by Woosie.
Wed Nov 30 11:42:31 2005

Rumen Todorov from Dobrich, Bulgaria
On 1st November I met Ian Woonam in Sofia, Bulgaria. He presented Ian Woosnam Design projects for two golf courses in Bulgaria. After Gary Player's and Nicklaus's design courses in Bulgaria Woosie puts my country into a future golf destination. As I am a farmer's son as he is, I trust him and wish him a new Ryder Cup joy.
Mon Nov 7 15:02:14 2005

Dave Harford from Chelmsford
I'm originally from Caernarfon and have followed Woosies career ever since he came to prominence on the European tour. I think he'll be a great Captain and in my opinion he's up there with the great Dai Rees as the finest golfers Wales have produced. I'd love a round with him!
Tue May 10 21:09:16 2005

Mike Vaughan, Oswestry
I lived next door to Woosie in Oswestry for five years and learnt what a focussed and ambitious man he was was who achieved all his ambitions. He's not the Boozie Woosie the press make him out to be.

Woosie would make an excellent Ryder Cup winning captain. He's got the experience and is tougher than Welsh Black cattle. If you thought Seve has passion to win, let Bertie have the reins.
Tue Nov 30 22:32:04 2004

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