Ex-Eagles forward Odemwingie becomes professional golfer

Peter Odemwingie, a former Super Eagles attacker, has joined the Professional Golfers’ Association (PGA). 

PGA announced the admission of Odemwingie into its ranks in a video on Tuesday.

The association is the body that organises tours for professional golfers around the globe.

Speaking on his induction, the former Super Eagles attacker said he fell in love with golf during the latter days of his football career.

He highlighted the difficulty of adapting to the “loneliness” of golf after his career in a “group sport”.

“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.”

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 featured for Nigeria in the 2014 World Cup, scoring against Bosnia Hezergovania in the group stage to secure the country’s promotion to the round of 16.

Odemwingie began his football career at Bendel Insurance before moving to Europe with La Louvre FC, then Lille and Lokomotiv Moscow.

He then joined West Brom, Cardiff City, and Stoke City in the English Premier League (EPL).

Odemwingie retired from football in 2019.