Golf Qatar Masters: Ian Woosnam, who has won almost $9 million on the European Tour, is already planning for a future which he hopes can earn him another fortune in America.
At the age of 46, Woosnam is still four years away from being able to join the money-spinning US Champions Tour, but he wants to be fit for it and so has taken what, for him, is drastic action.
"I had to get off my backside," said the Welshman yesterday, after an opening 69 in the Qatar Masters in windy Doha left him only one stroke behind the six joint leaders: England's Paul Broadhurst and Matthew Blackey, Scot Andrew Oldcorn, Japan's Nobuhito Sato, Austrian Martin Wiegele and Swede Pierre Fulke.
"I suffer from spondylitis, and it was getting worse and worse. If I didn't do something about it I would be in a hell of a mess.
"I've been working out and doing a lot of stretching with physios. It's hard for me and something I'm not used to."
But he has persevered even after missing his first four halfway cuts this season, a slump that has taken the former world number one down to 211th in the rankings.
"It does put your swing out of sync and it feels like I have a different body," he said of the back problem. "I'm not used to being supple, but if I'm going to play on the seniors tour I have to do it."
Woosnam missed birdie chances from six, 12 and eight feet over the closing four holes and said: "I like the course but I don't think much of the greens. Those last few were bouncing all over the place."
Others did not think much of some of the pin placings on a testing day when only 14 of the 150-strong field were able to break 70.
Paul McGinley - runner-up to Mark O'Meara in Dubai - stood three under with six to go but bogeyed three of them for a 72, the same as Sandy Lyle, who relies on invitations now after losing his tour card last year.
Best of the Irish was the duo of Peter Lawrie and Gary Murphy, who followed up strong showings last week to fire opening rounds of one-under-par 71s.
Damien McGrane shot 73, while Graham Spring (75) and Graeme McDowell (76) languished at the back of the field.
Londoner Brian Davis, at 50th in the world, the highest-ranked player taking part, birdied two of the last three for a 69 to remain on course for securing a debut in the Masters next month.
He has to remain in the top 50 for three more weeks for that but is also not yet sure of a place in the Players' Championship in Florida in a fortnight.
Jean Van de Velde, who must win at least €15,000 from this and his next tournament to keep his tour exemption following more knee surgery, returned a 73 - a good recovery after triple-bogeying his third hole.
Leeds-born 15-year-old Chris Hughes played in the event after winning the Qatar amateur title - his father works in the gas industry - and managed a 78.
