Ian Woosnam is an inspiration. Throughout his career, Woosnam has suffered from ankylosing spondylitis, a rheumatic disease which affects the spine and stiffens the muscles in the body. Yet he has been a hero for his country, one of the best known Welsh sports stars in the world.

Next year Woosnam will turn 50 years of age, and after having a considerable break from the professional tour due to his illness, he is set to make a comeback and his senior tour debut in Barbados. Woosnam, who lives on the Caribbean Island for part of year, will know the course well, having played it on several occasions. He joins Nick Faldo and Sandy Lyle on the men's senior tour.

Woosnam's career started to take off in 1982 when he won his first tournament in Switzerland. Since then he has won a further 27 European tour tournaments and a further 16 tournaments worldwide. He was top of the European Order of merit for four consecutive years from 1987 to 1990. He also finished in the top 10 on nine other occasions.

At only 5ft 4ins, Woosnam is one of the smallest golfers, but his height is no reflection on the power he has when striking a golf ball. He is the only player to win three World matchplay titles in three different decades between 1987 and 2001.

The Welshman's biggest win came back in 1991 when he followed in the footsteps of fellow Brits Sandy Lyle and Nick Faldo to US Masters glory. The vivid memory of Woosnam collecting his famous green jacket in Augusta will be a sporting memory for years to come. He was world No. 1 in the early 1990s for 50 weeks, a feat not easy to achieve in golfing terms.

Over the last few years Woosnam has struggled to play consistently and has taken some time out. However in 2006 took the job of Ryder Cup captain for the first time. He lead Europe to a famous victory over the USA in Ireland, and the victory was even more spectacular due to the scoreline as Europe thrashed Tiger Woods and Co.