British Masters returns to European Tour

The British Masters will return to The European Tour for the first time since 2008 when Ian Poulter hosts the tournament at Woburn from October 8-11.

The British Masters will return to The European Tour for the first time since 2008 when Ian Poulter hosts the tournament at Woburn from October 8-11 2015.

Poulter will take it in turns to host the event with Luke Donald, Justin Rose and Lee Westwood. The quartet of Ryder Cup stars will also help to select the venue each year. In 2015 the British Masters will be contested over Woburn’s Marquess Course.

Woburn has hosted the British Masters on 16 previous occasions, most recently in 2002 when Justin Rose beat Ian Poulter by a single shot around the Marquess Course.

The British Masters began life as the Dunlop Masters in 1946 and was held every year (except 1984) up until 2008. Over the years the tournament has been won by some of Europe’s greatest players. Christy O’Connor, Dai Rees, Tony Jacklin, Bernard Gallacher, Bernhard Langer, Seve Ballesteros, Nick Faldo, Ian Woosnam, Colin Montgomerie, Justin Rose and Lee Westwood have all been champions.

The last time the British Masters was contested in 2008, Spain’s Gonzalo Fernandez Castano beat Lee Westwood in a playoff at The Belfry.

The return of the prestigious tournament to the European Tour schedule raises the number of tournaments on the circuit to be played on British soil to six.

“It is fantastic news that the British Masters is back on The European Tour schedule and I am proud and delighted to be bringing the tournament to Woburn Golf Club, which is obviously a place that means a great deal to me,” said Ian Poulter.

Sky Sports will act as a presenting sponsor of the event and they are committed to using the tournament to encourage the British public’s interest in golf. Sky Sports programming for the tournament will be aimed at new fans across TV, online, digital media and social media outlets. Three-time European Tour winner Nick Dougherty has agreed to become an Ambassador for Sky Academy, a role which includes taking part in Sky Sports Living for Sport, part of Sky Academy, which uses sports stars and sports skills to help young people gain skills and self-belief.

“The British Masters was an important fixture on The European Tour International Schedule from the Tour’s formation in 1972 through to its most recent staging in 2008, so we are naturally delighted it is returning to The Race to Dubai in 2015,” said European Tour Chief Executive George O’Grady.

“Having four of our top players and leading ambassadors – Luke Donald, Ian Poulter, Justin Rose and Lee Westwood – take on the role of tournament host will also help raise the profile of the event on its return to our calendar.”

“It also further highlights the increased contribution our players are prepared to offer our events, following Rory McIlroy supporting the Irish Open and Paul Lawrie giving his name to our new match play event in Scotland.”

Paul Lawrie swing sequence: