The Masters: Ian Woosnam finally calls time on Augusta National
Ian Woosnam has decided he will no longer compete at The Masters. In an emotional statement, he said it was time to watch "the young guys play".
Ian Woosnam, the only Welshman to win the famous green jacket at the Masters, has called time on his major career.
In the end it was only a few simple words from Woosy: "It's time to watch the new guys play."
Woosnam, 63, triumphed at Augusta National in 1991. It was his only major win in a career that started began in 1976 and saw him become the world number one.
Golf fans may recall that Woosnam has previously announced that he decided to call it quits at Augusta, only to play again.
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Thought long and hard about playing the Masters again this year and in the future, but it’s time for me to watch the young guys play.
So I’m going to sit back and enjoy the memories that Augusta has given me over the years, thank you for everything Augusta pic.twitter.com/A8Mawy2TsO
— Ian Woosnam (@IWoosnam) January 19, 2022
In the end, he finished with 32 appearances at the Masters with seven top-25 finishes.
Incidentally, the only time he finished in the top-10 was when he actually won the tournament.
Woosnam has played in eight Ryder Cups and famously captained the European side to victory in 2006 in County Kildare, Ireland.
"The 2006 Ryder Cup was all about the European team and saying goodbye to Heather Clarke," Woosnam later said, reflecting on the win.
So this time does Woosnam mean it? It's probably right to think he does, judging by the tone of the words he used to announce the decision.
"Thought long and hard about playing the Masters again this year and in the future," Woosnam wrote on social media.
"But it's time for me to watch the young guys play.
"So I'm going to sit back and enjoy the memories that Augusta has given me over the years, thank you for everything Augusta."
Not a dry eye in the house
Darren Clarke's performance at The 2006 Ryder Cup will never be forgotten.#MondayMemories pic.twitter.com/GYLtC2Gg5r
— Ryder Cup Europe (@RyderCupEurope) August 10, 2020
Woosnam has a condition called ankylosing spondylitis, which affects the spine and inflames it.
After the 2016 Masters, he decided to call it time but was convinced to return to playing in 2017, 2018 and 2019.
He missed the cut in 2020 after signing for scores of 76 and 77.
Overall, Woosnam spent more than 50 weeks as the world number one.
He won 29 times on the European Tour (sixth of all time) and twice on the PGA Tour.
Woosnam was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2017.
