Life begins at 50
Last updated: 16th March 2008
Ian Woosnam: Enjoying life on the Seniors
Sometimes you have to go out and play like Seve did... Go for it.
Ian Woosnam
Quotes of the week
Thursday to Sunday
Every week on Sky Sports
Ian Woosnam has become the latest great of Europe's Golden Era to reach the 50 Club.
Following in the footsteps of Ryder Cup team-mates and major championps Nick Faldo and Sandy Lyle, Woosnam reached his half century at the beginning of March and has now made his debut on the European Seniors Tour.
And he tolf Golf Night this week that he is happy to be there, and not just because his first eligible event was in Barbados.
"You don't want to wish your life away but I have been wanting this day to happen for nearly four or five years now," he said. "It is nice to have got the big 5-0 over with now.
"It is difficult to compete with these young guys out there now, the distance they hit the ball and the length of the golf courses.
"I felt if I was maybe playing a links golf course, where the ball runs, or it was windy, I still had a reasonable chance but the length of the golf courses now, I was just looking forward to the Seniors and to feel like I could compete again really."
Woosnam though, who finished a fine fifth in the Caribbean, is finding adjusting to life as a senior pro a little difficult and still has the odd moment when he plays like a 19-year-old.
Europe's latest Ryder Cup winning captain has been struggling with injuries and has had to take advice to slow down a little, but even so, he still thinks you need to have a bit of youthful vitality in your bag.
"After 30 or 35 years of playing, not being able to play golf has been very disappointing really," he said.
"The doctors tell you to do half as much as you think you possibly can and with being quite active when I do things, it has been a boring year really.
"Six weeks ago I pulled a muscle and I don't seem to be able to get that right. I guess the older I get, the harder it is to get my body back into shape really.
"When I first started, I used to just stand there and get a driver out and just hit it. I am 45 years of age I am getting the one-iron out and thinking, 'what am I doing here?'.
"It will be nice to just go out there and try and play like I used to play, just let it all happen.
"I think as you get a little bit older, we all get a bit sensible and you try to keep the ball in play. Sometimes that is not the right way, you have to go out and play like Seve did... Go for it."
- Video
