The Professional Golfers’ Association has invited former World Cup winner David Llewellyn to become its 86th captain and add another prestigious honour to his glowing 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 a list of illustrious predecessors that includes PGA co-founders James Braid, Harry Vardon and JH Taylor, three-time Open Championship winner Sir Henry Cotton, Ryder Cup captains Dai Rees and Bernard Gallacher as well as the Voice of Golf, Peter Alliss.
“It’s an elite band and to be a member of it is very special,” said Alan White, the Association’s chairman.. “The Captain is the face of the Association when in post and David has exemplified all the positive aspects of a PGA Professional during his stellar career.
“He’s excelled as a coach, played and won at the game’s highest level, managed golf clubs, and been an inspiration to injured servicemen in helping them overcome their disabilities and get into the game. There is no doubt he will be a credit to the Association before, during and after his captaincy.”
Reflecting on his appointment, Llewellyn said: “I’m absolutely bowled over. I was knocked sideways when I was asked. Being entrusted to represent the PGA, uphold its good name, and be its figurehead for a year is a huge honour. As it is to follow in the footsteps of some very famous names, some of whom I know and have played with.
“I played with Bernard Gallacher when he was at the top of his game and, as a young Welshman, Dave Thomas and Dai Rees looked after me when I was making my way in the game. Unfortunately, I didn’t get to play with Peter Alliss, but he said some nice things about me when he was commentating.”
That may well have been when Llewellyn, representing Wales in tandem with Ian Woosnam, won the World Cup in 1987. Other highlights as a player include being named Sir Henry Cotton’s Rookie of the Year at the age of 20 and, 17 years later during his second spell on the European Tour, winning the AGF Biarritz Open when he set a record low four round total of 258. It was a record that, equalled by Woosnam in 1990, stood for 32 years until Andy Sullivan surpassed it by a shot.
Llewellyn also experienced success in Africa, winning the Ivory Coast and Zambia Opens before opting to concentrate on coaching and return to life as a club professional in the early 1990s.
He had begun that process on turning professional in 1968 and working as an assistant to Tom Colinge at Olton Golf Club in the West Midlands. Roles at the Royal Malta Golf Club, Purley Chase Golf Club, Warwickshire, Thirsk and Northallerton Golf Club, and now Carden Park have followed.
In addition, he was coach to the Golf Union of Wales for five years, coaches five DP World Tour and Challenge Tour players, while teaching amputees through his association with the On-Course Foundation has brought another facet to his calling.
The Foundation is a charity that offers injured servicemen, women and veterans the opportunity to participate in golf on a level playing field with everyone else, either as a player or through employment in the golf industry.
Llewellyn became involved with the Foundation a dozen years ago and, as well as his role at Carden Park where he manages and mentors six pros, attends five camps a year.
His year as PGA Captain will add to a busy workload, not that captaincy is a new experience. He led Wales for eight years in the Ford Home Internationals and was Captain of the Great Britain and Ireland team that contested the PGA Cup in 2000.
Now an even more prestigious PGA role beckons. “I can’t wait to get started,” he said. “As I said, I’m bowled over and certainly never expected to receive such an honour.”