Why British Masters scores V for victory

A WEEK like no other at the Betfred British Masters ended at Close House with a touching gesture that might also have been unique. In America, they’re too busy firing up their private jets and moving on to the next event to worry about what’s happening when the final group gets to 18. Conscious there was no crowd to greet Italy’s Renato Paratore with the acclaim his victory deserved, a goodly number of his fellow pros stayed behind and cheered as the final putt dropped. Then they formed a guard of honour and held up a golf club each to create a victory arch for him to walk underneath. A classy touch. It was the most heartwarming end to an eventful week in which the Covid-19 restrictions proved too much for Andrew ‘Beef’ Johnston and left Lee Westwood, among others, pining for his old way of life. Perhaps it wasn’t surprising to see Robert Rock, Andy Sullivan and Dale Whitnell cope best with the stringent protocols to emerge as the three leading Brits in tied fourth place. All three had to graft before making it on tour, taking on other jobs at times to supplement their living and keep their fantasies alive. Co Down’s Jonathan Caldwell was delighted with his finish in a tie for eighth place, his best performance on the European

Tour, after qualifying from Q School in November. It was an event like no other to report on. It began a week before the tournament when a home testing kit arrived. Then another Covid-19 test on arrival, followed by a wait of more than four hours in the car for the result. Now you were in the bubble. Interviews were held wearing face coverings, with polite interjections from the press officer if you happened to inch closer than two metres. A buddy system meant meals at the hotel and golf course could only be eaten with one other person. They were the only two places you were allowed to go. I must admit, being a bit pampered like Westwood and accustomed to things a certain way, it was not easy to adjust. And watching the action up close brought home the soullessness without fans far more than watching it on television does. But at the end came that selfless gesture at the 18th. It made me think: ‘This is a proper tour and these are genuine sports people worth writing about.’