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Former English Premier League star Peter Odemwingie retired from playing competitive soccer in 2018. The 42-year-old is now trying his luck in a new sport.
While at West Brom, Odemwingie was inspired by his fellow teammates to pick up the sport of golf. During an off-season, he took a vacation to Turkey, where he purchased his first set of golf clubs. Since then, the soccer legend has been working on improving his golf skills.
Two years into his retirement, Odemwingie made the decision to become a PGA professional. Less than 20 percent of applicants successfully pass the Playing Ability Test (PAT), but the former soccer star did it on his very first attempt at the challenging Belfry course and went on to make a few starts on the Clutch Tour (formerly known as the PGA EuroPro Tour).
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Peter Odemwingie then went on to do his Professional Golf Studies - a four-year course - at the University of Birmingham. After graduating in May to officialy earn his title as a PGA professional, the former Premier League star intends to take a one-year break to gain more knowledge before returning to the University of Birmingham to obtain his honors degree in September 2025.
Peter Odemwingie talks about his main goals in golf
After dominating on the soccer field, Peter Odemwingie is now looking to make his mark on the golf course. He was first exposed to the sport during his time at West Brom. After seeing his fellow teammates head out to the course every Tuesday after training, he decided to see what all the fuss was about.
According to Golf Monthly, Odemwingie got bit by the golf bug during a vacation in Turkey. Shortly after, he spent a lot of time on the driving range and the putting green, hitting hundreds of balls a day. The retired soccer star went on to get a membership at the Aston Wood Golf Club, where his game took a turn for the better.
Two years into his retirement, he decided to start a new career as a PGA professional. Inspired by the game, Odemwingie spent most of his free time watching past PGA Tour events and instructional videos to gain more insight into the sport.
Having obtained his status after graduating a few months earlier, here's what Peter Odemwingie has planned for his future (via Golf Monthly):
"I also have plans to help grow the game in Nigeria. Hopefully, with my status as a PGA Professional, it will open doors. Nigerians are excelling in sports around the world and there is so much talent within the country; they just need an opportunity as they have the drive and motivation... My hope is that I can inspire young people in Nigeria, Russia, or somewhere else, to start playing golf and see where it can take them. Whether that is through my own golf channel or by putting on coaching clinics, I would love to help in any way I can."
