The Fateful Mistake That Cost Ian Woosnam Major Glory And a Small Fortune

It's often said that even the smallest mistake can have the biggest consequences, and for golfer Ian Woosnam, that mistake was a doozy. Despite being a Master's champion, Woosnam might've had a more illustrious career if it wasn't for one simple yet costly error that he made during a crucial game.

The season was 2001, and Woosnam was participating in the Open Championship held at Royal Lytham & St Annes in England. He was 43 at the time, and this was his 19th appearance at the tournament. Although Woosnam had not won on the European Tour for nearly four years at that point, he was still considered a formidable competitor in the golfing world.

During the second round, disaster struck for Woosnam in the most unexpected of ways. After shooting a decent 71 in the first round, Woosnam felt confident about his chances in the second round, but unfortunately, it was his caddie who inadvertently let him down. A 15th club had been placed in his bag, which led to a two-stroke penalty on each of the 14 holes he had played, culminating in a huge four-stroke penalty. In professional golf, players are allowed to have a maximum of 14 clubs in their bag.

The mishap left Woosnam visibly distraught. Speaking about the incident to the media at that time, he revealed: "Both Maldon, the official, and I were quite amused about it. We had a bit of a chuckle and shake of the head. But to think back now, that mistake was going to end the championship for him. A potential win that could have put him on par with the golfing elite was lost because of that mistake.

This incident not only denied him the win but also the subsequent prize money. Had he won, Woosnam would have earned £220,000, an amount that was massive back then. Furthermore, a second major win could've seen him continue his career on the golfing circuit for several years, netting him even more prize money and wins.

While Woosnam would not go on to achieve another major win in his career, the incident remains an interesting and funny footnote in golfing history. However, not being able to claim another major golf championship and substantial prize money were heavy penalties to pay, especially considering that they boiled down to such a minor yet crucial administrative mistake.