The Professional Golfers’ Association has invited former World Cup winner David Llewellyn to become its 86th captain and add another prestigious honor to his illustrious CV.
The 72-year-old honorary PGA member, who is Executive Head Professional just over the border from his native Wales at Carden Park, Cheshire, will succeed David Scott in late March 2026.
In doing so he will add his name to an illustrious list including PGA founders James Braid, Harry Vardon and JH Taylor, three-time Open Championship winner Sir Henry Cotton, Ryder Cup captains Dai Rees and Bernard Gallacher and . The Voice of Golf, Peter Alliss.
“It’s a special group and being a member is very important,” said Alan White, chairman of the Association. during his stellar career.
“He has done well as a coach, played and won at the highest level of the game, managed golf clubs, and been an inspiration to injured workers in helping them overcome their disabilities and get back into the game. There is no doubt that he will be a credit to the Association before, during and after his captaincy.”
Reflecting on his nomination, Llewellyn said: “I was very shocked. I was brushed aside when asked. Being entrusted with representing the PGA, raising its good name, and being its head for a year is a great honor. As it is a walk in the footsteps of the most famous names, some I know and have played with.
“I played with Bernard Gallacher when he was at his best and, as a young Welshman, Dave Thomas and Dai Rees looked after me when I came into the game. Unfortunately I didn’t get to play with Peter Alliss, but he said good things about me when he commented.”
That may have happened when Llewellyn, representing Wales alongside Ian Woosnam, won the World Cup in 1987. Another highlight as a player was being named Sir Henry Cotton’s Rookie of the Year at the age of 20, 17 years later when he was playing. second on the European Tour, winning the AGF Biarritz Open while posting a record four-round total of 258. It was a record equaled by Woosnam in 1990, and it stood for 32 years until Andy Sullivan shot past it.
Llewellyn also found success in Africa, winning the Ivory Coast and Zambia Opens before choosing to focus on coaching and return to life as a club professional in the early 1990s.
He had started the process of turning pro in 1968 and was working as assistant to Tom Colinge at Olton Golf Club in the West Midlands. Roles at Royal Malta Golf Club, Purley Chase Golf Club, Warwickshire, Thirsk and Northallerton Golf Club, and now Carden Park has followed.
In addition, he was a Golf Union of Wales coach for five years, coaching five DP World Tour and Challenge Tour players, while teaching the disabled through his association with the On-Course Foundation brought another dimension to his calling.
The Foundation is a charitable organization that gives injured women, women and veterans the opportunity to participate in golf on a level playing field, either as a player or through employment in the golf industry.
Llewellyn became involved with the Foundation twelve years ago as well, along with his role at Carden Park where he manages and mentors six professionals, who attend five camps a year.
His year as PGA Captain will add to a busy schedule, not that captaincy is anything new. He captained Wales for eight years at the Ford Home Internationals and was Captain of the Great Britain and Ireland team that won the PGA Cup in 2000.
Now there is a very prestigious PGA role. “I can’t wait to get started,” she said. “Like I said, I’m blown away and I never expected to receive such an honor.”
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