**Former Cardiff Footballer Peter Odemwingie Sets Sights on The Open after Golf Career Pivot**
Peter Odemwingie, the well-travelled footballer who once donned the Cardiff City shirt in the Premier League, has made headlines far beyond the pitch, as he seeks to carve out a new sporting legacy in the world of golf. The former striker is one of more than 2,000 hopefuls attempting to book their place at The Open Championship, one of the most prestigious tournaments in the golfing calendar.
Golf’s oldest major is truly open to those with the skills—and, crucially, a handicap of 0.4 or better, provided they can afford the £200 entry fee. Odemwingie is joined in qualification this year by another ex-Premier League player, Jimmy Bullard, as a pair of sporting transplants from football to fairways. Both men will now be vying to impress at regional qualifiers held at 15 courses across the UK and Ireland, each aiming for one of just 100 coveted spots in the final qualifying round on 1st July.
Odemwingie’s journey to the world of professional golf sets him apart. Remarkably, he didn’t begin playing the sport until reaching his thirties—an age when many athletes start contemplating retirement, not a new discipline. Since then, his commitment has paid off: the Nigerian international has successfully qualified as a PGA professional, an achievement that illustrates not just sporting prowess but immense dedication.
In a previous interview with the PGA, Odemwingie reflected on his shift in focus. “My eyes are on the senior tour in the future because I definitely know there is a player in me,” he explained. The elite seniors circuit awaits players aged 50 and older, suggesting Odemwingie sees a lengthy second act ahead. “Golf offers longevity and, if you stay healthy, you can keep playing for many years,” he added, citing iconic players such as Gary Player, whose competitive days spanned decades.
On Monday, Odemwingie joined other enthusiasts and semi-professionals as he teed off at Enville Golf Club near Dudley, just outside Birmingham. His counterpart, Bullard, launched his own bid at Rochester and Cobham Park in Kent. They will be joined in their attempts by both fellow professionals and talented amateurs, a demonstration of the open and democratic nature of the championship.
Success at The Open represents the pinnacle of achievement in golf, with past winners including legends such as Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods, Arnold Palmer, Rory McIlroy, and Seve Ballesteros. The victor receives the renowned Claret Jug, along with the title of ‘Champion Golfer of the Year’. The 2025 edition of The Open will unfold at Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland, running from 13th to 20th July. Notably, American Xander Schauffele captured the title in 2024, walking away with £2.38 million from a £13.1 million prize pool—a testament to the tournament’s scale and prestige.
As for Odemwingie’s footballing legacy, it has seen him traverse continents and clubs—from his early days at CSKA Moscow’s academy, to a headline-making move to Premier League side West Bromwich Albion, and a subsequent switch to Cardiff City in 2013 for a £2.25 million fee. Stints at Stoke City, Bristol City, Rotherham United, and even Indonesia’s Madura United followed, before he hung up his boots.
The transition from football to golf is uncommon, but not without precedent. The focus, resilience, and competitive edge ingrained in professional athletes can open doors in many sporting arenas, and Odemwingie’s story serves as an inspiring illustration for anyone considering a bold new path later in life.
As the world watches the next generation of golf hopefuls challenge the best of the best at Royal Portrush, all eyes will be on whether Odemwingie’s unique journey can bring him through qualifying and onto one of the sport’s grandest stages. Regardless of the outcome, his reinvention is already winning admirers within and beyond the worlds of football and golf.