ON A MISSION
Willett and MacIntyre have Ryder Cup in their sights
TOURNAMENT host Danny Willett and title favourite Bob MacIntyre will redouble their efforts to qualify for the Ryder Cup at the Betfred British Masters today.
From now on, every event on the European Tour will be worth twice the number of Ryder Cup points, and that starts at The Belfry with the first event on UK soil this year.
Former US Masters champion Willett had a nightmare Ryder Cup debut in 2016 when he lost all three matches after his brother Pete made derogatory remarks about American fans.
But as well as acting as host this week, the Yorkshireman is plotting a path from his 10th position in the European rankings all the way to Whistling Straits in September.
“I feel like this is a nice place to start the double points,” said the world No.92.
“I spoke to captain Padraig Harrington and he wanted to create a scenario where guys playing really well in the run-up would potentially have a chance of getting in off their own back and not need a pick.
“It’s one of those where you’re in touching distance of getting a place outright, which is what you want to do. Nobody wants to rely on a pick. It would be nice to press on now, give us a fighting chance.
“The body’s feeling good after having Covid and the game’s getting better.” Willett arrived in the UK on Sunday but will fly back to America in time for next week’s US PGA.
The schedule and the absence of crowds mean none of the other top English stars will tee up in the Midlands, with world No.45 MacIntyre, left, the topranked player in the field. “I think it’s the first time in my life that has happened,” said the left-handed Scot, 24. “It’s been a roller coaster but it shows I have done things right in the past year.”
After finishing tied 12th in his first US Masters, MacIntyre is firmly in the running to make his Ryder Cup debut.
“The double points is huge but this is just one tournament out of 15 or so left, so there is plenty of time,” he said. “There’s no big rush to get them now but, don’t get me wrong, it would be nice to get big points.
“I am in a position where it can happen this year, so it’s up there with my priorities.
“It was like The Masters. It was something I was so close to that I wanted it now rather than later.”