Ian Woosnam captained Europe to a record-equalling 18 ½ - 9 ½ victory in The Ryder Cup at The K Club in Ireland in 2006, as the team won all five sessions for the first time in the biennial contest and secured an unprecedented third successive victory. In recognition of the feat, he received the OBE in the New Year's Honours List. Amongst other accolades he became the first former European Tour Order of Merit winner to repeat the feat on the Senior Tour when he lifted the John Jacobs Trophy in 2008 after a dream rookie season in which he won the Parkridge Polish Seniors Championship in his third event followed by the Russian Seniors Open. He was named 2008 Senior Tour Rookie of the Year. He has also played in eight Ryder Cups, and has topped The European Tour Order of Merit in twice (1987 and 1990), joining the greats of the game when he won the Masters Tournament in 1991.
