Tournament News
Ryder Cup heroes return to The Belfry
Seasoned Ryder Cup Pro will be playing at The Belfry next week
The Belfry itself holds many fond memories for the European Team, with them winning on three of the four occasions it has hosted the competition (won 1985, 1989, 2002, lost 1993). More than half of the 2002 winning European team will return to The Belfry next week, comprising of Lee Westwood, Darren Clarke, Colin Montgomerie, Thomas Bjorn, Niclas Fasth, Phillip Price and Paul McGinley, who famously holed the winning putt on his Ryder Cup debut to clinch victory for the Europe. Three of 1993 European team – Peter Baker, Barry Lane and Ryder Cup stalwart Monty – will also take part in the golfing extravaganza. Baker and Lane are both past tournament winners and will be hoping to emulate their success.
Defending champion Lee Westwood, who will play the Quinn Insurance British Masters fresh from making his sixth consecutive Ryder Cup appearance, is unbeaten in ten straight matches. Faldo’s most experienced player, Westwood has an excellent Ryder Cup record, playing 25 Matches and winning a total of 15½ points since his debut at Valderrama in 1997. He will be hoping to break Arnold Palmer’s record of twelve matches unbeaten in Valhalla this time around.
Darren Clarke is perhaps best remembered for his Ryder Cup heroics at K Club almost two years ago to the day, when he helped Europe to an emotional 18½ -9½ victory just six weeks after his wife, Heather, passed away. Many were shocked that Clarke wasn’t picked for the Ryder Cup this time around after wins at the BMW Asian Open and The KLM Open, but Clarke will be looking to bounce back with a solid performance at The Belfry.
Amongst the other ex-Ryder Cup British boys that will be teeing off at the Quinn Insurance British Masters are Paul Broadhurst (91), two-time European team cup player David Howell (02, 04) and Scotland’s Paul Lawrie (99).
Other international stars with Ryder Cup roots who will tee off in the Battle of the Brabazon are Swedish duo Per-Ulrik Johanasson (95, 97) and Jarmo Sandelin (99), French two-some Jean Van De Velde (99) and Thomas Levet (04), and Spain’s Ignacio Garrido (97).
Andrew ‘Chubby’ Chandler, Managing Director of promoters International Sports Management, adds; “A previous home of the Ryder Cup, The Belfry has seen some fantastic Ryder and British Masters moments over the years. With such a massive past Ryder Cup contingency set to play, I anticipate a passionate and exciting tournament when the Quinn Insurance British Masters gets underway.”
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