Nigeria legend Odemwingie becomes a PGA Professional

by Austin Ditlhobolo

Wednesday Jun 26, 2024. 15:00

Nigerian football legend Peter Odemwingie has traded football for golf after joining the Professional Golfers Association (PGA).

The 42-year-old turned out for the Super Eagles between 2002 and 2014 – earning 65 caps and finding the back of the net 11 times.

Odemwingie retired from professional football in 2018 after a successful stint at Thailand’s Madura United – scoring 15 goals in 23 league matches.

The former West Bromwich Albion and Lille OSC star explained that he fell in love with golf during the final days as a professional footballer.

“I’m really proud of all of myself and my friends who are graduating today as well. It is a long journey. I fell in love with the game,” Odemwingie said.

“I play lots of pro-ams as an amateur. I am coming from a football background. I had a decent-level career in a group sport. Now I am in a different sport, sometimes you can be lonely in golf — just you and your caddie, if you have one.

“And seeing what the PGA professionals enjoy. I pass the playing ability test, I was accepted on the programme and I was excited that day as I am today.”

He played for Nigeria at two FIFA World Cups and four Africa Cup of Nations, as well as winning silver at the 2008 Olympics.