Ian Woosnam
Why?
Woosie's heroic performances in last week's World Matchplay Championship at Wentworth saw the forty-something defeat the best of Europe's young guns to walk off with the title.
Bit old for a golfer isn't he?
That's what everybody else thought. With the Matchplay format of playing 36 holes a day, nobody gave Woosnam a chance of winning, especially when he complained of feeling the pace after his first day victory over Retief Goosen.
He beat Retief Goosen - US Open champ?
Incredibly, yes! He followed that up by beating Colin Montgomerie, before destroying Lee Westwood 10&9 in the semis. A slightly closer victory over Padraig Harrington, who thrashed Nick Faldo earlier in the week, sealed the title.
So he's back to his best then?
Better than ever. The 1991 US Masters champion has returned from several years in the wilderness with a bang this summer. This latest triumph comes on the back of a great showing in the Open when he narrowly lost out to David Duval because of a mistake by his caddie.
What Happened?
His caddie spotted there were 15 clubs in his bag on the second tee in the final round, one more than allowed. This resulted in a two shot penalty, denying him second spot and an automatic Ryder Cup place. The caddie was later sacked after oversleeping and missing his tee time two weeks later. Woosie seems to have benefited though, and things are looking rosy for the popular Welshman.
18th Oct 2001