Friday 2 October 2015 20:17, UK
The British Masters supported by Sky Sports returns to the European Tour schedule after a seven-year absence early next month and a high-quality field will be on show at historic Woburn.
Tournament host Ian Poulter welcomes a star-studded line-up for the October 8-11 showpiece that includes five major champions, two former world No 1s and no fewer than 22 players who have represented Europe in the Ryder Cup.
The British Masters has a rich and prestigious history with a roll of honour of Woburn winners that includes the likes of Seve Ballesteros, Greg Norman, Lee Trevino, Sir Nick Faldo, Ian Woosnam, Sandy Lyle and Justin Rose.
Woburn first staged the event on the Duke's Course 36 years ago, and the tournament returns to the Marquess Course for the first time since Rose held off his good friend Poulter in a memorable final-round duel in 2002.
Graeme McDowell, Darren Clarke, Padraig Harrington, Paul Lawrie and YE Yang are the major winners in the field, which also includes future tournament hosts and former world No 1s Lee Westwood and Luke Donald.
McDowell said: "Having the British Masters back on our schedule, on the back of the return of the Porsche European Open, is another big step in the right direction for The European Tour.
"I've spent some time with Keith Pelley (European Tour CEO) and I think we've got an exciting, strong leader to take us forward, and it is obviously great having Sky Sports on board too.
Superb week
"I've not been to Woburn in about 10 years so it is exciting to be back and we are all behind the return of the British Masters. Woburn is a great traditional, tree-lined course, and I know Ian Poulter will be a fantastic host, so it should be a superb week."
McDowell, Poulter and Westwood were part of Europe's winning Ryder Cup team at Gleneagles last year, and they will be joined at Woburn by fellow team-mates Thomas Bjorn, Jamie Donaldson, Victor Dubuisson and Stephen Gallacher.
"It's great to have the British Masters back on the schedule," said Gallacher, whose uncle Bernard captured back-to-back British Masters titles in 1974 and 1975.
"British golf fans are up there with the best in the world and it's great that they've now got another chance to see some top-class action. Woburn is a great venue and I'm looking forward to getting back there."
Donaldson added: "I heard that the first day is already sold out, so that's an indication of how popular golf events are in the UK and how much people have been looking forward to having another big tournament.
"I really like Woburn as a course, it's great. It's tree-lined, tight, and a traditional British course. I'm really looking forward to playing the British Masters there again.
"Having the British Masters back is a massive boost. The more the merrier, and having Sky Sports as a sponsor is good for the tournament and for the game. Hopefully this tournament will help get some kids buzzing about golf."
Home comforts
Eddie Pepperell, one of an expanding group of emerging English talent, was in his teens when the British Masters last figured on The European Tour, and he said: "I never even watched it, let alone played in it, so it'll be great to have the opportunity to be part of it this year.
"It's just great to have another event in the UK for us British guys. Events in Britain are always well supported, and with it being quite close to where I live - only an hour or so by car - it'll be great for my family and friends to have a rare chance to come and watch me.
"It'll be nice to stay at home and have all the home comforts we usually miss when we're away on the road. I've had quite a few ticket requests, and it'll be great to have extra support."
Since its return was announced in March, the tournament has proved a big hit with the British public, with the opening round of the tournament a complete sell-out following the "Sky Sports Thursday" promotion, which offered 15,000 free tickets as part of the event's aim to attract a new and existing audience to golf.
Tickets for the British Masters supported by Sky Sports can be purchased online via http://tickets.sky.com/Golf/British-Masters or www.europeantourtickets.com or via the European Tour ticket hotline 0800 023 2557.
