Rose is torn as beloved Masters heads for oblivion

JUSTIN ROSE didn’t mince his words when asked for his thoughts on the probable demise of the British Masters following the final round at Walton Heath today.

Embracing his duties as tournament host with pride, he thought carefully about what he wanted to say before eloquently speaking for everyone who has attended this great event over the past three days.

‘Dare I say it, there are so many events on the European Tour that should not be there, and these events with history are the ones that should be there,’ said the Englishman. ‘I wonder if we should be focusing on condensing things slightly, and stressing quality over quantity.

‘It’s such a same when we lose events like this one, and we’ve seen it far too often with the loss of other traditional events like the European Open.

‘These are the ones where the fans really come out in force in the UK and support them. They create the type of atmosphere which makes it a pleasure for the players to compete.’

Sportsmail’s revelation on Saturday that the event is facing the axe, with no place currently on the schedule for next year as the European Tour have been unable to find a title sponsor, was the talk of the club yesterday.

Ironically, the news comes at a time when the game south of the border has never been stronger.

The final threeball on the course yesterday were all from the host nation, and all in their 20s — Eddie Pepperell, Matt Wallace and Jordan Smith.

The leading trio were at their best at the downwind par-five 11th, where all three walked off the green with an eagle three. When was the last time that ever happened?

It was Eddie the eagle who fared best elsewhere. Another blustery day played into Pepperell’s hands, with his low ball flight.

He finished with a 71 to maintain the same threestroke lead with which he began, over a chasing quartet that includes Smith, with Wallace five adrift.

Tommy Fleetwood bounced back from his 77 on Friday with a 70 to be tied 12th, while Rose is a further shot back following a 69.

If Pepperell holds on today, he will be on the fringes of the top 30 and guaranteed a debut next year at the Masters in Augusta.

It has been yet another disappointing tournament for the European Tour’s Scottish contingent.

Best of them was Scott Jamieson, whose 72 left him tied for 34th on one over. He was a shot ahead of Richie Ramsay (72) and Marc Warren (71).

David Drysdale nosedived with an 80 to six over, along with Stephen Gallacher (77).