THE SENIOR OPEN PRESENTED BY ROLEX

July 26, 2023

Ian Woosnam

Royal Porthcawl Golf Club

Quick Quotes

Q. I know you don't get the opportunity to come back to Wales as much as you'd like, but the fact that this year's Senior Open is on home soil must make is very special?

IAN WOOSNAM: It's always great to have a major tournament in Wales. We've had the Ryder Cup here a couple of times. It's a great spot. Let's hope the rain does go over a little bit.

Q. Royal Porthcawl hosted this event in 2014 and 2017. What can you tell us about the area and the course?

IAN WOOSNAM: Depends where the wind is blowing from. If it's blowing off the sea it's very difficult, and especially when you play like the second, third, fourth, they are tricky holes but it's a lovely area. It's right on the sea as you can see, and it's a beautiful part of the world.

Q. It's great to highlight Welsh culture and Welsh sport. We know what Celtic Manor did when it was there for the Ryder Cup. What can the fans expect when they come down?

IAN WOOSNAM: It's an easy place to get to, really, if you think about it. It's straight down the M4 or M5 coming from everywhere, really, just a couple of hours from London. You know, it's a pity that Wales, you've got Scotland, you've got Ireland, you've got England.

Wales is missing out on the golf a little. We have some fantastic golf courses, and hopefully people will try and come spend more time over here.

Q. What's the biggest challenges? We saw yesterday in the Pro-Am, if the ball is not on the right places on the greens, it's tricky.

IAN WOOSNAM: Yesterday was a really good day. You're not going to get it like that again. As I said the wind is on the left, playing them first few holes, trying to get it on the green is a challenge, and you've got to try and hug the right-hand side to get a better shot into the green. And once you get on the green, it's hard to get it close, and then you've got to try and 2-putt.

Q. How is the game at the moment?

IAN WOOSNAM: I don't play much golf these days. It's more of a challenge getting around walking than playing golf but I'll try my best and see what I can do.