In his final round of the 2001 British Open Ian Woosnam had 15 clubs in his bag. What was the additional club?

More about Ian Woosnam having 15 Clubs in his bag

At the 2001 British Open Ian Woosnam was in contention to win his first open at Royal Lytham & St. Anne’s. He was tied for the lead with three others after the third round. On the final day he started his round with a birdy at the opening par 3. Then the drama unfolded. His caddie, Myles Byrne, came up to him and said, “You’re going to go ballistic” – “We’ve got two drivers in the bag” as he pointed out the extra driver. That meant Woosnam was carrying 15 clubs, which indeed is a two-stroke penalty.

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2001 British Open Leaderboard

David Duval -10
Niclas Fasth -7
Darren Clarke, Ernie Els, Miguel Ángel Jiménez, Bernhard Langer, Billy Mayfair and Ian Woosnam -6

Ian Woosnam's Early Life and Career

Woosnam began playing golf at the Llanymynech Golf Club, which straddles the border between England and Wales. He turned professional in 1976 and joined the European Tour in 1979. His early years on tour were marked by financial struggles, as he traveled in a camper van and often subsisted on a diet of baked beans to save money. His breakthrough came in 1982 when he won the Swiss Open, finishing eighth on the Order of Merit that year.

Throughout his career, Woosnam consistently performed well on the European Tour, finishing in the top ten on the Order of Merit for thirteen seasons. He won a total of 28 official money events on this tour and set a world record for global tournament earnings in 1987. Notably, he placed third in the 1986 Open Championship and achieved his major victory at the 1991 Masters Tournament, becoming the first Welshman to win a major championship.

Achievements and Highlights

Masters Champion (1991): Woosnam's most notable achievement was winning the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club, where he famously celebrated by dropping to one knee after sinking his final putt.

World Number 1: He reached the top of the Official World Golf Ranking in April 1991, maintaining that position for a total of 50 weeks until March 1992.

Ryder Cup Participation: Woosnam played in eight consecutive Ryder Cups from 1983 to 1997 and served as captain for the victorious European team in 2006 at The K Club. His overall record includes 14 wins, 12 losses, and 5 halves across 31 matches.

Awards and Recognition: He was awarded an OBE in 2007 and inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2017, highlighting his impact on golf both in Europe and globally.