MAJOR TOMMY’S VERY CLOSE
FORMER world No.1 Ianwoosnam says he knows exactly how Tommy Fleetwood is feeling because he experienced similar “frustration” before finally landing his first Major.
Ryder Cup star Fleetwood is still searching for that elusive breakthrough victory in a ‘Big Four’ event after winding up in the top-five on seven separate occasions, including his third-place finish at last month’s Masters.
Ahead of the US PGA Championship atvalhalla that starts on Thursday, Woosnam said: “Tommy seems to be going through the same sort of spell a lot of us did.
“You’re getting close to winning that big one but can’t make the breakthrough. It took me a long time to get through it, Lee Westwood was another and he never managed to get over the line.
“Tommy could be in that same situation of being a great player never to win a Major. I remember feeling the same sense of frustration before eventually winning the Masters in 1991.
“It is really frustrating when you’re in that position, let me tell you, when you haven’t won a Major, you’re knocking on the door, you’re playing great in other tournaments, finishing first and second.
“But once you get over that hurdle, everything seems to relax. I remember having the sort of feeling of, ‘What do I do now?’.”
Woosnam, who spent 50 weeks as world No.1 between April 1991 and March 1992, says it was gratifying to land the coveted Green Jacket but acknowledges there was a downside to his new-found status as a Major champion.
“I didn’t really enjoy being in the limelight so much,” he added. “I didn’t enjoy having people coming up to get my autograph in restaurants, stuff like that.
“I preferred just to go out with the lads, have a couple of beers and a good time.”
Ludvig Aberg finished as runner-up to Scottie Scheffler at Augusta National last month andwoosnam was impressed at the temperament shown by the 24-year-old Swede in his first appearance at a Major.
“I enjoyed the way he played at the Masters,” said the Welshman, 66.
“He seems such a freespirited lad and he must have gained a lot of confidence from being in that position.
Nothing seemed to faze him. I don’t know the lad but he looks like a nice, pleasant guy.”
Woosnam sees a similar sort of level-headed outlook in world No.1 Scheffler.
“Scottie’s the same sort of guy as Aberg,” he added.
“He’s not outspoken, he’s quiet and unassuming, but he gets on with the job and wins tournaments.”