Rose’s big appeal to Euro Tour
JUSTIN ROSE has called on the European Tour to save the British Masters.
A four-year deal with Sky Sports comes to an end today, leaving the tournament without a backer with the 2019 schedule due to be announced on October 22.
Tournament host Rose admitted: “It would be a shame to lose this event. It’s one that’s close to my heart obviously, having won it in 2002 with my dad around.
“Dare I say there are so many events on the European Tour that maybe shouldn’t be there, but these are the ones that should be there.
“The fans really do come out in force in the UK and support these events. I would urge anyone in the powers that be to make it happen.”
Rose shot a threeunder 69 yesterday to move to one under par while Tommy Fleetwood carded a 70 to sit one shot ahead.
Fellow Ryder Cup hero Francesco Molinari posted a three-over 75 and now trails his brother Edoardo by four shots. Chvselsvdsvsnovic vsdvdsv dsvdsv sdv dsvdsvd sv dsv dvsdb svds vdvdsvdvsdv Neil Mcleman
EDDIE Pepperell is ready to turn his first ever 54-hole lead into a home victory at the British Masters today. The Qatar Masters winner shot a solid 71 at windy Walton Heath yesterday to maintain his three-shot lead going into today’s final round. Fellow Englishman Jordan Smith, Sweden’s Alexander Bjork, American Julian Suri and France’s Julien Guerrier are in the chasing pack in joint second place. Rain and cooler temperatures are forecast in the Surrey commuter belt today. But world No.50 Pepperell said: “I’m confident that I can go out there tomorrow and shoot three or fourunder par, and make everyone else’s life very difficult. It is a new position for me. First time I’ve ever gone out there with a three-shot lead on a Saturday, so to have maintained it, I would say is not a failure. And I have never led going into the final round. It is cool to lead an event at home.
“Ask me tomorrow how it will feel to win here when hopefully I’ve got the trophy, I’ll be ecstatic. There’s a lot of time between now and then obviously.
“It’s going to be different tomorrow. Less breeze but wet obviously, and the course should play a bit longer.
“You could possibly see more birdies in that, and it might be easier to get closer to the hole. I am looking forward to it.”
Bath’s Smith, who closed the gap to two shots on the back nine before a bogey at 16 to shoot a 70, needs to get off to a quick start in pursuit of his second European Tour victory.
“To get that win would be massive, and to do it here with Justin Rose, one of my idols, hosting it, it would be awesome,” said the world No.152.
Pepperell, Smith and Matt Wallace played together in an all-english final group.
The overnight leader was level par after 10 holes before draining a 14-foot eagle putt on 11 – only for his two playing partners to also play the parfive in three shots. “That was unusual,” said the Oxford star.
Londoner Wallace, who has won three times this season, bogeyed the first hole and slipped down to tied sixth with his 73. “Matt didn’t speak to us much today,” said Pepperell. “Matt was not his happy and usual self.”
The 27-year-old was outside the world’s top 500 in May last year but victory today would see him break into the top 35 and probably guarantee his first invite to the Masters.
And Pepperell said he will call on the experience of his first European Tour win in February to triumph on home soil.
“I remember feeling really comfortable with the lead in Qatar. Same in Scotland when I finished second.
“I’ve felt comfortable today.
“I didn’t see any shots that frightened me, and committed to a lot of good tee shots.
“It’s about time I kicked on and won another event.”