In the first of a two part feature celebrating his 1991 Masters Tournament victory, Ian Woosnam looks back on the greatest moment of his career...
For past Masters Champions the drive down Magnolia Lane will always be a nostalgic one but for Ian Woosnam this year’s visit to Augusta National takes on additional poignancy.
The 53 year old next week marks the 20th anniversary of his triumph in the 1991 Masters Tournament and despite his glittering achievements over the past two decades, Woosnam insists slipping into the Green Jacket remains the high water mark of his distinguished career.
He might have led Europe to Ryder Cup glory in 2006, won 29 European Tour titles as well as three Order of Merits – including one in 2008 on the European Senior Tour - and held the World Number One position for 50 weeks but for Woosnam, Major Championship glory was undoubtedly the ultimate high.
As he prepares for his 23rd appearance in the traditional opening Major of the golfing calendar, the Welshman is all too well aware of the significance of his one stroke victory over Spaniard José Maria Olazábal.
“It was the greatest achievement of my career and something I had dreamed of for many years,” said Woosnam. “Winning the Masters allowed me to be recognised as a household name.
“The 20th anniversary brings up the question ‘where have all the years gone?!’. I don’t really have any plans at the present to mark the anniversary, other than to have a few quite beers with friends staying with me. I’m too old for partying!
“I always look forward to being part of this special tournament though. With it being the first major of the year, it’s always exciting.”
Woosnam’s triumphed on just his fourth appearance at Augusta National and the victory came at the height of Europe – and Britain’s – domination of the Masters Tournament. He inherited the Green Jacket from Sir Nick Faldo, the 1989 and 1990 winner, who in turn and had received it from Sandy Lyle, Woosnam’s old rival from Shropshire county golf who returns to Augusta for a European record 30th time this year.
Today, while Lyle and Woosnam compete on the Senior Tour, the baton has been taken on by Martin Kaymer, Lee Westwood, Luke Donald and Graeme McDowell, the top four on the Official World Golf Ranking, but 20 years ago it was Woosnam spearheading the European challenge.
Having been anointed World Number One on the Monday of the 1988 Masters Tournament, Woosnam could easily have felt constrained by the considerable weight of that title but the 5ft 4½in former amateur boxer has always been up for the fight. If anything, Woosnam felt compelled to step up to the mantle.
“My frame of mind was extremely confident on that first Monday of The Masters,” he recalled. “Becoming World Number One after winning in New Orleans gave me “an edge” for that week to win. I don’t remember feeling any pressure at the time, just extremely confident. I felt brilliant, ready for anything.”
While the gruelling Augusta National might prove a little too long for ‘Woosie’ these days at the age of 53, the milestone of his 20th anniversary will undoubtedly be an occasion he savours, such is the reception afford to all previous Masters champions.
In 2006, 15 years after his Masters win, Woosnam captained Europe to a record equalling 18½-9½ victory in The Ryder Cup in Ireland, an achievement he ranks alongside his Masters victory as one of his most profound honours, given that he was responsible for 12 other players and the hopes of a continent.
The following year he missed the Masters Tournament for the first time since his debut in 1988, due a form of ME that can be traced to his endeavours at The K Club and his on-going battle with the rheumatic disease Ankylosing Spondylitis, a condition that was actually first diagnosed a year before his Masters win.
He returned to Augusta National in 2008 - the year he also became the first former European Tour Order of Merit winner to repeat the feat on the Senior Tour - and made the cut for the first time since the 2000.
Repeating that will be the target again this year but whatever happens, Woosnam will always take special memories from the place where he
fulfilled a childhood dream.
“When I received the Green Jacket from Nick Faldo in 1988, it was a great feeling to win my first Major,” he said. “I became a part of history.”
Tomorrow: Woosnam on his final round battle with Tom Watson
