Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
COMBATS IN THE BELFRY
Double Ryder Cup points are at stake this week and Willett is back home and ready to cash in
TOURNAMENT host Danny Willett and favourite Bob Macintyre will redouble their efforts to qualify for the Ryder Cup at the Betfred British Masters today.
The first European Tour event on UK soil this year back at The Belfry marks the start of double the number of points being awarded in all events until September.
Former Masters champion Willett had a nightmare debut in 2016 when he lost all three matches after his brother Pete made derogatory remarks about US golf fans.
But as well as acting as host at the iconic Ryder Cup venue, the Yorkshireman is plotting a course from his current 10th place in the European rankings all the way to Whistling Straits.
“I feel like this is a really 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 needing 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 from now to September, give us a fighting chance.
“With stuff doubling from now on and the body feeling good now after having Covid and the game getting better, you never know. It would be nice.”
Us-based Willett only arrived in the UK on Sunday and returns to America at the weekend for next week’s US PGA.
The scheduling and the absence of crowds means none of the other top English players will tee up in the
Midlands, with Scotland’s world No.45 Macintyre the top-ranked player in the field.
“I think it is the first time in my life that’s happened,” said the man from Oban. “It’s been a roller-coaster but it shows I have done things right in the last year.”
After finishing tied 12th on his Masters debut, the 24-yearold is also 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,” said Macintyre.
“There’s not a big rush to get them now but don’t get me wrong, it would be nice to get big points. I’m 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.”
Martin Kaymer, who was tied third at the ISPS Handa UK Championship at The Belfry last August after leading with two holes to go, will again seek his first title since the 2014 US Open.