PGA announced the admittance of Odemwingie into its folds in a video on Tuesday. Essentially, the association is the body that holds tours for professional golfers around the globe. The former Super Eagles attacker said he fell in love with the game of golf during the latter days of his football career. He talked about the challenge of adjusting to the “loneliness” of golf after a career in a “group sport”.
“I am really proud of myself and all of my friends graduating today, too. It’s a long journey. I fell in love with the game,” said Odemwingie.
“I play lots of pro-ams as an amateur. I am coming from a football background where I had a decent level career in a group sport. Now I am in a different sport. It can get lonely with golf sometimes, just you and your caddie, if you’ve got one.”.
“And F9 seeing what the PGA professionals enjoy. I pass the playing ability test, I was accepted on the programme and I was elated that day as I am today.”
Odemwingie, born in Uzbekistan to a Russian mother and a Nigerian father, made his Super Eagles debut in 2002. He made 63 appearances for the men’s national team.
He catered for Nigeria at the 2014 World Cup, scoring against Bosnia Hezergovania at the group stage to send the country through to the round of 16.
Odemwingie started his football career at Bendel Insurance before crossing to Europe with La Louvre FC, then Lille and Lokomotiv Moscow.
He joined West Brom, Cardiff City, and Stoke City in the English Premier League, EPL.
Odemwingie hung up his football boots in 2019.