British Masters in danger of the axe
THERE is a real danger that the British Masters taking place at Walton heath will be the last, with tournament chiefs struggling to find a backer.
‘i’m disappointed we’ve been unable to find a title sponsor for next year given all the event has going for it,’ European Tour chief executive Keith Pelley told
Sportsmail yesterday. Pelley has nine days to turn things around or next year’s schedule — to be announced a week on Monday — will be without one of Europe’s most prestigious titles.
sky sports are the presenting sponsor but Pelley admitted the fresh agreement that the Tour announced last week with the broadcaster until 2022 does not include the British Masters.
With fabulous crowds enjoying Justin Rose, Tommy Fleetwood and Open champion Francesco Molinari, it is hard to believe this event is in jeopardy.
At least there is every chance of going out on a high, with English duo Eddie Pepperell and Matt Wallace seeking a trophy won by European legends from Jacklin to Ballesteros, Faldo to Westwood.
For Pepperell, who leads by three strokes from Wallace following a fine round of 69 in blustery conditions, victory would see the 27-year-old from Oxford continue a dramatic rise from outside the world’s top 500 just 18 months ago to the fringes of the top 30.
As ever, he had a typically wry take on the exciting possibilities ahead. ‘When you look at the tournaments i’ve got coming up, i don’t want to put a limit on how far i could rise in the world rankings,’ he said.
‘it’s probably best not to think about it, but now you’ve raised it i’ve got no choice but to think about it. i’ll probably have to go back to my hotel room and have a bottle of wine to stop thinking about it.’
Pepperell has followed his top-six Open finish at Carnoustie with three more top-ten places in his last six starts.
All told there are six Englishmen in the top nine, with Wallace looking for a remarkable fifth win in only his 50th European Tour start. ‘That has a nice ring to it,’ said the Londoner, smiling.
Fleetwood had a rare off day on the greens as he stumbled to a 77 — equalling his worst score in a regular tour event this year — to fall eight adrift. Rose recovered from his opening 74 with a 72 to be ten behind and level with Molinari, who carded successive rounds of 73.
David Drysdale is the highest-placed scot, on two under after rounds of 69 and 73.