Peter Odemwingie, former Super Eagles forward, has become a professional golfer after graduating from the Professional Golfers Association school.
The PGA disclosed this in a post with a video on X.com on Tuesday.
The caption read, “Peter Odemwingie is best known for playing top-level football, scoring over 30 Premier League goals for West Bromwich Albion and representing Cardiff City and Stoke City.
“He has played in two World Cups and even won an Olympic medal in 2008. In his post-football career, he turned to golf and is now a fully-fledged PGA professional.”
In a statement on the PGA website, Odemwingie was quoted as saying, “I’m proud because I challenged myself not only to apply effort in a sport but also academically.
“It’s motivating being around people who have the drive to achieve and get this PGA Member badge on your chest! I hope my story motivates people to follow suit, whether that’s through the PGA or any other form of study.”
The statement further read that Odemwingie now hopes to use his status to grow the sport, particularly in Nigeria and Russia, which have produced many well-known footballers but where golf still has huge growth potential.
Odemwingie was quoted as saying, “These are very sporting nations, but they don’t have golfers representing them on the world stage, which is a shame.
“I’ve had to put my studies first these past few years, but now that I have graduated, I am in a position to do something, and I hope to get backing to organise some tournaments in Nigeria for decent prize money.
“Hopefully, now with my status as a PGA Professional, it will open doors and people will take it seriously, and from there, you go step by step towards your goals.”
The 42-year-old is reported to have made his Super Eagles debut in 2002 and made 63 appearances for the men’s national team.
He retired from football in 2019.
