Former Super Eagles of Nigeria Player, Peter Odemwingie has officially joined the Professional Golfers’ Association (PGA).
The PGA announced Odemwingie’s admission in a video on Tuesday, marking his transition from professional football to professional golf. The association is renowned for organizing tours for golfers worldwide.
Odemwingie expressed his excitement about the induction, revealing his passion for golf that developed during the later stages of his football career. He acknowledged the challenges of adapting to the solitary nature of golf after a career in team sports. “I’m really proud of myself and my friends who are graduating today as well. It has been a long journey. I fell in love with the game,” he said. “I come from a football background with a decent-level career in a group sport. Now, being in a different sport, it can sometimes feel lonely — just you and your caddie, if you have one.”
Odemwingie, born in Uzbekistan to a Russian mother and a Nigerian father, made his debut for the Super Eagles in 2002 and earned 63 caps for the national team. He played for Nigeria in the 2014 World Cup, scoring a crucial goal against Bosnia and Herzegovina that secured Nigeria’s advancement to the round of 16.
Odemwingie began his football career at Bendel Insurance before moving to Europe, where he played for La Louvière, Lille, and Lokomotiv Moscow. He later joined West Bromwich Albion, Cardiff City, and Stoke City in the English Premier League (EPL). He retired from professional football in 2019.