Former Masters winner Ian Woosnam confirms for the European Senior Masters

British golf legend Ian Woosnam OBE is the latest addition to the Farmfoods European Senior Masters line-up, and will be competing at the Forest of Arden Marriott Hotel & Country Club in the inaugural tournament between 19-22 October 2017.

With more than 50 professional titles to his name from across the world and a famous Masters Tournament Green Jacket in his wardrobe, Ian Woosnam is quite simply one of the most successful European golfers of all time. His recent induction into the World Golf Hall of Fame confirms his status as one of the greatest golfers ever.

When discussing his participation at the event, Woosnam said: “It’s going to be great to return to the Midlands for the first ever European Senior Masters.

“The Forest of Arden is a tricky and challenging course, especially that sweeping back nine and the final three – it should lead to a dramatic finish on the Sunday.”

On Woosnam’s induction into the World Golf Hall of Fame, legendary American golfer Jack Nicklaus, told BBC Sport: “I always enjoyed playing with ‘Woosie’, he’s a fun character to be with and it’s nice to have him join us.”

The 18-time Major winner went onto say: “He’s certainly deserved being in the Hall of Fame. He’s won a lot of tournaments internationally and represented Great Britain, and of course Wales, all over the world.”

Gary Player, 8-time Major winner, wrote of his admiration for Woosnam in the foreword of the Welshman’s autobiography: “There is no doubt in my mind that, pound for pound, Ian has been one of the finest players ever to take up the game.”

‘Woosie’, as he is affectionately known on the course, will always be remembered for his victory at Augusta National at the 1991 Masters. Starting the last hole of the tournament tied with José María Olazábal and Tom Watson on -11 Woosnam managed a solid par, while the other two players bogeyed and double bogeyed respectively to ensure the Welshman was the one wearing the Green Jacket come the close of play. The victory coincided with Ian surging to the top of the world rankings earlier that season, a position he enjoyed for a total of 50 weeks.

Hosted by former Ryder Cup star Peter Baker, the Farmfoods European Senior Masters looks certain to attract the biggest and best players from the European Senior Tour, to what’ll serve as the penultimate event on this year’s schedule. It is the first tournament of its kind in the Midlands for a decade, and the Forest of Arden should provide a testing challenge for all professionals, with the winner rewarded with an impressive €50,000, as part of the total€200,000 prize fund.

Baker said: “Woosie is a welcome addition to the field, it’ll be good to catch-up with him and the other guys playing at the Forest of Arden.”

As the last European Senior Tour event till the season-ending MCB Tour Championship, Mauritius in December, the Farmfoods European Senior Masters will be make-or-break for a lot of the professionals on Tour, deciding who will make it to Mauritius. 

David MacLaren, head of the European Senior Tour, said: “It’s great to welcome Ian Woosnam to the Forest of Arden for the first-ever European Senior Masters.

“He’s a legend of the game and a great name to have associated with the tournament."

Organising the event is leading brand agency Champions (UK) plc who will be bringing the experience of successfully organising the Farmfoods British Par 3 Championship at Nailcote Hall for the past ten years.

Champions Managing Director Matthew Hayes commented: “We’ve had the likes of Woosie at the Farmfoods British Par 3 Championship in the past, and it’ll be fantastic to see them in action at the Forest of Arden.”

To register for FREE tickets to the European Senior Masters, please visit: https://europeanseniormasters.com/booking/event-ticket/2017.

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