He Hopes to Woo ‘Em Again : Masters: Although Ian Woosnam’s name is more recognizable after last year’s victory, some people still have problems pronouncing it.

Ian Woosnam has won tournaments all over the world for 10 years, but he’s the first to admit that winning the prestigious Masters last year provided him with instant celebrity status.

“I’ve really enjoyed being the Masters champion, but there has been a lot more pressure on me,” he said. “However, I wouldn’t mind challenging it again this year.”

As for the recognition factor, Woosnam said:

“Definitely, especially in America. Sometimes it’s a great feeling and, at other times, you want to get away from it.”

The 5-foot 4 1/2-inch Welshman grimaces at times when people mispronounce his name.

“They say, ‘Eon.’ It sounds like a donkey. The name is Ian,” he said, stressing the I. “Woosnam comes out funny, too.”

Woosnam will defend his title starting Thursday at the Augusta National Golf Club.

He hasn’t been sharp lately, though. He missed cuts at the Nestle Invitational and the Players Championship in Florida and finished 57th last Sunday in a PGA Tour event in New Orleans.

“I haven’t been playing well the last three weeks,” he said. “I’ve been on the practice ground, sorting things out, and I’m feeling much more relaxed that I did on Sunday.

“I don’t really know where the ball is going. It’s difficult when you’re playing tough courses.”

He knew exactly what he had to do here last year on the 18th tee, where he was tied with Tom Watson and Spain’s Jose Maria Olazabal in the final round.

His tee shot cleared the bunkers on the left side of the 405-yard finishing hole, landing in a members’ practice area. He couldn’t see the green for his second shot and was jumping up and down trying to get a glimpse of it.

It was all the more difficult, considering his size.

Nonetheless, he hit an eight-iron 140 yards to the left fringe of the green, then two-putted for his victory.

Olazabal bogeyed the hole and Watson took a double bogey.

“It’s great to look out there and see the things I did before, especially the 18th hole,” Woosnam said. “I looked down there (from the tee) in a practice round and said to myself, “How the hell did I carry that bunker?’ That shows how pumped up you get in the last round.”

Woosnam isn’t sure he’ll be able to carry the bunkers again on the 18th hole if he’s in contention this year.

“I would say that on the last day of this year’s Masters they’re going to move the tee right to the back of the tee box, so you’re not going to be able to do it,” he said.

The only negative aspect of his victory was provided by some spectators who heckled him through his final round and cheered for Watson.

“I was furious,” Woosnam said in regard to the heckling. “But it just made me more determined.

“The crowds at the U.S. Open (later in the season) were absolutely fantastic. (The Masters) was the only time I’ve heard it. A few people spoil it for others.”

The Masters was only one of six tournaments that Woosnam won last year. He earned $1,763,159, third on the world money list.

Asked to evaluate the field for this year’s tournament, Woosnam said:

“Fred Couples has as good a chance as he’ll ever have. The one thing lacking (for him) is a major tournament (victory), and I think this is his best chance.

“Nick Faldo (a two-time Masters champion) is playing very well. It’s the sort of course he loves because he’s a grinder.”

Woosnam also mentioned Olazabal, Seve Ballesteros and Mark O’Meara.

“My dark horse is Bernhard Langer,” he added. “I think he’ll do very well.”

Even though long-hitting John Daly is playing in his first Masters, he has also been cited as a player with a chance to win because he can reach some of the par-five holes with two shots.

“Daly must drive it straight and put it in the right position and not get too aggressive.” Woosnam said. “That’s what he has to watch. He could do well and he could do bad. It’s difficult to say.”

As for his own prospects Woosnam said: “I’d like to win to give me a chance to go for three in a row. But first I have to make it two.

“There’s not as much pressure on me as there was last year because I’ve already won it.”