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GOLF: DGM Barbados Open: Woosnam to embark on new phase of career in Barbados

/noticias.info/ Ian Woosnam, the last of European golf’s ‘Famous Five’ to turn 50, embarks on a new adventure this week as the expanding European Seniors Tour emerges from its winter slumber with the first event of the 17th season on the sunny Caribbean Island of Barbados.

Woosnam, who won his historic Masters Tournament Green Jacket just a year before the Seniors Tour swung into action for the first time, will have the benefit of local knowledge when he tees up in the unfamiliar role of ‘Tour Rookie’ in the DGM Barbados Open from March 5-7.

The season-opening tournament, now in its eighth year, is played at Royal Westmoreland Golf Club, where the man known universally as “Woosie” – who turned 50 on Sunday – has a home.

Woosnam will be competing at a selection of events on the Seniors Tour, which in 2008 delivers a global Schedule incorporating a host of exciting new locations such as the Azores, the Czech Republic, India, Poland and Russia in addition to the many popular and familiar venues.

The 2006 winning Ryder Cup Captain followed in the footsteps of Seve Ballesteros, Nick Faldo, Bernhard Langer and Sandy Lyle by reaching the milestone of his half century just a few days ago, and the stirring memories of Woosnam’s contests with Langer and Lyle are set to be reprised, now that that duo are also setting out on their rookie season.

The patriotic Welshman, who will forever be remembered in the Principality and beyond for winning the Masters Tournament at Augusta National in 1991, celebrated his half century with friends on the boat he has moored on the Caribbean island.

But with his competitive fires still burning brightly, Woosnam will now turn his attentions to the more serious business of playing in, and indeed trying to win golf tournaments – though he will still do so with a smile on his face.

Woosnam, whose last European Tour victory came at the World Match Play Championship in 2001, said: “It’s hard work competing against the youngsters these days. You don’t want to wish your life away, but I have been looking forward to this for five years now. The main thing, though, is to enjoy myself because I haven’t really done that in the past few years.”

Few golfers know Royal Westmoreland’s intricacies better than Woosnam, and the DGM Barbados Open gives him a great opportunity to get a head start in the race to capture the John Jacobs Trophy, which for the past five years has been the private preserve of current holder Carl Mason of England (2003, 2004 and 2007) and Scotland’s Sam Torrance (2005 and 2006).

Other notable names competing for the US$ 275,000 prize fund include defending champion Gordon J Brand of England and fellow countryman, Tommy Horton, who had the privilege of winning the first DGM Barbados Open in 2000. Also seeking a second title in Barbados is Ireland’s Denis O’ Sullivan, who triumphed over the 6,854 yards par 72 course in 2005.

But Woosnam will be the star attraction, as he attempts to enhance the reputation he carved out on The European Tour as one of the greatest golfers to have played the game.

He said: “It would be nice to feel I can win again. I don’t know when I last had that feeling. If you don’t feel like you can compete, what is the point? But these guys can play. You can’t just turn up and expect to win.” notas_de_prensa_archivo