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WOOSIE, THE WEE WONDER
The Star, Section Two, Feb 18, 1993
THE “little big man of golf” was in Penang. Despite all the excitement in the country, the atmosphere in the hotel was quiet and serene. You wouldn't think that one of the world's top golfers was staying there.
Ian Woosnam walked into the lobby. Having just spent some time on the beach, he looked tanned and rested.
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Ian Woosnam: "You've always got to try and be better than what you think you are.".
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The hotel Mercedez was taking him to the airport to greet his wife and children. Without any fuss, he consented to an interview during the journey.
Unassumingly, he opened the car door and sat next to the driver. This is not “usual” for a celebrity. But then Ian Woosnam is no ordinary celebrity.
The man is an exception and his story is one of sheer determination and hard work.
Born in Orwestry, Wales, Ian Harold Woosnam first hit the ball when he was seven and at 13 he was playing to a 6 handicap. It took him four tries to gain his player's card.
He turned professional in 1976 at the age of 18. In 1987, he became the first Briton to capture the prestigious Suntory World Match-play Championship.
In the same year, he helped the European team win the Ryder Cup and became the first European team to win it on American soil.
It was a particularly outstanding year when Woosnam also won the Jersey Open, Madrid Open, Bell's Scottish Open, Lancome Trophy in France, Hong Kong Open, The World Cup (Wales team and individual) and the Sun City US$1 million Challenge in South Africa.
Two years ago, Woosie (as he is called by fans) won the prestigious US Masters at Augusta National Golf Club which came with the honour of wearing the coveted Green Jacket.
It was his first major win and brought him to number one in the Sony Rankings.
Last year, he defended his Monte Carlo Open for the third consecutive year.
Before the Johnny Walker Classic in Singapore a few weeks ago, Woosnam was ranked third in the world, after Nick Faldo and Fred Couples. At the Johnny Walker Classic, he finished joint 14th.
He is in Malaysia for the Benson and Hedges Malaysian Golf Open from Feb 18-21.
According to Woosnam, 34, his parents encouraged him to take up golf at a young age. At the time, he also enjoyed football.
He explained: “I was picked to play football for our local county when I was 14, 15. There was conflict between golf and football. I decided to take up golf because obviously the sport goes on longer.”
Unexpectedly he added: “They asked me to sign up for Liverpool (Football Club) when I was 17, for a trial. Didn't want to go. (Pause) No, I'm only joking.”
He is not above pulling your leg … with a really straight face too!
As a young golfer, Woosnam looked up to Jack Nicklaus, Tom Watson and Lee Trevino. They were “great players with great attitudes and great concentration.”
These are the very virtues which he has picked up. The Welshman is known for his determination on the green. It is this sheer determination that has driven him to achieve the success he has. What is the force behind the determined golfer?
Woosnam explains that is is the lack of money, nice clothes and a car. He used to work on his father's farm and for the first few years as a professional he had to travel from tournament to tournament in a trailer.
Said Woosnam: “I started playing with Seve (Ballesteros). I knew that he was at the top at the time and I realised, well, I can play as good as this guy but what he can do is score good.
“So that gave me the confidence to go out and play well. I felt I could beat him. I'd play just as good as him but he'd come off with a 66 and I'd come off with a 72.
“I wanted to be just as good as Nicklaus and (Arnold) Palmer and this gave me the encouragement and the will to keep fighting to be as good as them.”
This desire to get to the top is the secret of his success.
Said Woosnam: “If you want badly enough to get to the top and if you don't get to the best, it's easier to get to number 10. But you've always got to try and be better than what you think you are.
“If you think you want to be the best player in the world, you go for it. That's your goal. You must always go for a goal. That's always been my motivation.”
He has become the best golfer in the world. It was a feat he achieved in 1991 and what he considers his greatest achievement.
It was not an easy achievement and he says it is the result of playing consistently over a number of years.
Of course, with the success came pressures to live up to that reputation.
Unfortunately, Woosnam did not handle these pressures very well last year and as a result he did not play well and only managed one win, the Monte Carlo Open.
Said Woosnam: “Last year was difficult. When you're number one in the world, it's hard to keep performing well. I felt I had to prove myself by playing well all the time. This year, I'm not going to allow the effects of the pressures to take control of my goals.”
What exactly are his next goals? To win more major tournaments, namely the Masters, the British Open and the US Open.
Basically, Woosnam will continue to concentrate on the European circuit.
The game, he says, is very strong in Europe and the competitiveness is very good.
He doesn't feel he has to go to the United States to prove himself. Besides, he points out, he has been to the States and won twice (the 1987 Ryder Cup and the US Masters).
The other reason is his family who live in Europe.
He doesn't want to spend too much time away from his wife Glen, his son Daniel (eight), daughters Rebecca (five) and Amy (two).
When the children are not in school, Woosnam tries to take them with him when he travels.
He will be going to the United States for four weeks this year for the US Masters and to play in other tournaments prior to that.
He hopes that the earlier tournaments will get him into top shape for the Masters.
Although 1991 was the year he won the Masters and he was ranked number one in the world, he does not consider it his best year.
“I never thought I'd do what I did in 1987 before, which I think was my better year. Although I didn't win a major tournament in 1987, I won eight tournaments around the world.
“In 1991, I won the Masters and four other tournaments. I didn't think I'd play as well as I did in '87 but I had another good year in 1991.
“Jack Nicklaus said to me, when you have a very good year usually the year after that you don't have a very good year. It's a compliment coming from a guy like that so it helps me to relax a bit.”
Woosnam, who enjoys fishing, snooker, shooting and water skiing, admits to not practising too much.
If he practises too much he will start thinking about his swing and he gets himself “in a bit of a knot which you can't get out of.”
He does not seem to need practising as he packs a powerful swing and is said to be one of the game's longest hitters.
“I'm just a natural, really. I've lived in a farm all my life, did a lot of heavy lifting. I've always been pretty strong.
“But it comes down to your swing and technique and timing, really. With a good swing and technique and power at the same time.”
Despite all the tournaments, the pressure and stress, he still enjoys the game.
“When you're playing well you're really enjoying the game. When you're not playing well, it's a challenge. When you have to practise a lot and make your game right, it's hard work.
“It's like any other job. You have your ups and downs. But when you are playing well, it's a very enjoyable game.
“When I feel that I can't play to my best ability, then I'd have to say to myself I find it hard work and not enjoyable. Then I will quit golfing.”
His son Daniel has taken an interest in golf, but Woosnam is not about to push his boy into the sport.
He refuses to do what so many other golfers have done to their children and face the consequence of the child being fed up with the game by the age of 12.
His wife, he says, does not play golf. “Every time she goes to play golf, she gets pregnant! So I've stopped her from playing golf,” he said laughing.
With that straight face, you never know when he's going to break into one of his funny quips.
On the green, however, the man is dead serious … and a perfectionist.
He likes to hit the ball right but he doesn't let it get to him. He will try his best but if it does not work out, he will go have a couple of beers and try to forget it.
“I try to hit that perfect shot every time. I demand a lot of myself. I think any top sportsman does that as well. That's what keeps you going – the adrenalin.”
The friendly Woosnam is very professional. He has not allowed all the praise, admiration and publicity get to his head.
After watching him play and talking to him, anyone would agree that Ian Woosnam is no “little man.”
Copyright Star Publications (M) Bhd
ALSO:
The dark side, June 16, 2006
Up for the Cup, June 6, 2006
Getting ready for World Cup, May 26, 2006
Talking Ball With: Shebby, September, 2005
The Affable Lineker, June 17, 1991
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