Sir Nick Faldo resumes his hosting duties at the Betfred British Masters at The Belfry this week where he and former champion Luke Donald will keep a close eye on the start of the 2025 European Ryder Cup team's qualifying campaign.
Faldo returns to the hosting role for the second consecutive year as the 2024 DP World Tour season enters the 'Back 9' at the famous venue where Faldo made three of his 11 European appearances at the annual tournament, in 1985, 1989 and 1993. .
The six-time Major champion is eager to see some of the European players get off to a good start as the campaign to make Captain Donald's 12-player European team for Bethpage Black next September begins in full swing.
Among those hoping to do so will be Tyrrell Hatton, one of his Rome 2023 teammates, who is eyeing a fourth consecutive Ryder Cup appearance.
Although he joined LIV Golf in January, Hatton has not given up his DP World Tour card and is still awaiting a court decision on whether he will pay fines for LIV Golf tournaments he played in conflict with DP World Tour events.
Sir Nick Faldo said: “We have a fantastic field this week. I have 16 of my Faldo Series readers, a few English ones. The course looks great. It looks like it has a good drop of rain – I thought it might be hot in August after a hot summer, but we didn't have that. I think we're going to have good excitement with the fans and it should be a great week.
“It's Ryder Cup points week, and I know, I'd be there. It is a great opportunity for a person. I hope the European guy wins this week, and he looks like a good start. Get in there early. Get your points. I am sure that this is a goal, especially after Rome, a big goal for all players who want to get to the next team.”
THE RYDER CUP IS OUT
Luke Donald, who started this week, added: “I've watched a lot of Ryder Cups and events at this place, but I've never played an event or played a course. I'm happy to be here and play the British Masters.
“I'm happy to see the points race start. As a player, I remember when that started and I was so excited to be back, and it kind of gave me more motivation.
“And I was actually talking to Sir Nick, he was saying that in the Ryder Cup years, when the scoring started, even if I was 30, I would grind to the last few holes to see if I could get another 20 points. He thinks about these things now and I think that makes the players happy.”
Surprisingly, Tyrrell Hatton admitted he had never played the Belfry before. He said: “Actually, the first time I'm here is to play golf. Going through the 10th, I've had that shot at my dad's statue over the years, so it's nice to finally be here. It is a historic site for British golf and European golf. So I'm really looking forward to it.
“The Ryder Cup is definitely one of the reasons why I want to play this week. The Ryder Cup is really important to me and I would love to be in that team next year, and this is a good week to try and get off to a good start.
“I think any time you play in front of the home fans it's always a special week and for me personally, I'd like to go out and play really well. Make loads of birdies and give the crowd something to cheer about as will all the other English boys playing this week.”
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