British Masters

(Redirected from Dunlop Masters)

The Betfred British Masters is a professional golf tournament. It was founded in 1946 as the Dunlop Masters and was held every year up to 2008, except for 1984. Dunlop's sponsorship ended in 1982, and the name sponsor changed frequently thereafter, with the words "British Masters" usually also in the tournament's official name. The tournament was not held from 2009 to 2014 but returned to the schedule in 2015.

Betfred British Masters
Tournament information
LocationWishaw, Warwickshire, England
Established1946
Course(s)The Belfry
(Brabazon Course)
Par72
Length7,336 yards (6,708 m)
Tour(s)European Tour
FormatStroke play
Prize fundUS$3,500,000
Month playedAugust/September
Tournament record score
Aggregate260 Paul Dunne (2017)
To par−22 Peter Baker (1993)
Current champion
Denmark Niklas Nørgaard
Location map
The Belfry is located in England
The Belfry
The Belfry
Location in England
The Belfry is located in Warwickshire
The Belfry
The Belfry
Location in Warwickshire

History

edit

The Dunlop Masters was first held in 1946 at Stoneham Golf Club in Southampton, and was a continuation of the Dunlop-Metropolitan Tournament which had been held before World War II. Like the Dunlop-Metropolitan, the Dunlop Masters was a 72-hole end-of-season event with a restricted field. The Dunlop-Metropolitan had been first played in 1934, the same year as The Masters. The event was sponsored by Dunlop from 1946 to 1982, during which time it continued to have a small field with no 36-hole cut. There were 50 competitors in the final Dunlop-sponsored event in 1982.[1]

During the 1980s the British Masters was one of the most lucrative events on the European Tour with a prize fund that was as high as third among the tournaments on the schedule, but its status, or at least its relative level of prize money, has declined considerably in recent years.

The tournament has been played at many different venues; twice in the "Dunlop Masters" era it was held in the Republic of Ireland. When the Quinn Group took over as sponsors in 2006, the event was moved again, this time to the Group owned Belfry.

The deal with the Quinn Group ended in 2008, and when attempts to find another sponsor were unsuccessful, the British Masters was removed from the European Tour schedule for 2009.[2]

Tournament hosts

edit

The event returned in 2015 with a leading British golfer choosing the golf course and hosting the event. Since then the editions have been hosted by:

Notable events

edit

The 1967 event provided British television with its first live hole in one, as Tony Jacklin aced the 16th hole at Royal St George's.[9]

In the 2021 event, Richard Bland, at age 48, claimed his first European Tour victory in his 478th start on the tour.[10]

Winners

edit
Year Winner Score To par Margin of
victory
Runner(s)-up Venue Ref.
Betfred British Masters
2024   Niklas Nørgaard 272 −16 2 strokes   Thriston Lawrence The Belfry
2023   Daniel Hillier 278 −10 2 strokes   Gunner Wiebe
  Oliver Wilson
The Belfry
2022   Thorbjørn Olesen 278 −10 1 stroke   Sebastian Söderberg The Belfry
2021   Richard Bland 275 −13 Playoff   Guido Migliozzi The Belfry
2020   Renato Paratore 266 −18 3 strokes   Rasmus Højgaard Close House
2019   Marcus Kinhult 272 −16 1 stroke   Robert MacIntyre
  Eddie Pepperell
  Matt Wallace
Hillside
Sky Sports British Masters
2018   Eddie Pepperell 279 −9 2 strokes   Alexander Björk Walton Heath
British Masters
2017   Paul Dunne 260 −20 3 strokes   Rory McIlroy Close House
2016   Alex Norén 266 −18 2 strokes   Bernd Wiesberger The Grove
2015   Matt Fitzpatrick 269 −15 2 strokes   Søren Kjeldsen
  Shane Lowry
  Fabrizio Zanotti
Woburn
2010–2014: No tournament
2009 Cancelled due to lack of sponsorship
Quinn Insurance British Masters
2008   Gonzalo Fernández-Castaño 276 −12 Playoff   Lee Westwood The Belfry [11]
Quinn Direct British Masters
2007   Lee Westwood 273 −15 5 strokes   Ian Poulter The Belfry [12]
2006   Johan Edfors 277 −11 1 stroke   Gary Emerson
  Stephen Gallacher
  Jarmo Sandelin
The Belfry [13]
Daily Telegraph Dunlop Masters
2005   Thomas Bjørn 282 −6 Playoff   Brian Davis
  David Howell
Forest of Arden [14]
Daily Telegraph Damovo British Masters
2004   Barry Lane 272 −16 3 strokes   Ángel Cabrera
  Eduardo Romero
Forest of Arden [15]
2003   Greg Owen 274 −14 3 strokes   Christian Cévaër
  Ian Poulter
Forest of Arden [16]
Victor Chandler British Masters
2002   Justin Rose 269 −19 1 stroke   Ian Poulter Woburn [17]
2001   Thomas Levet 274 −14 Playoff   Mathias Grönberg
  David Howell
  Robert Karlsson
Woburn [18]
2000   Gary Orr 267 −21 2 strokes   Per-Ulrik Johansson Woburn [19]
1999   Bob May 269 −19 1 stroke   Colin Montgomerie Woburn [20]
One 2 One British Masters
1998   Colin Montgomerie 281 −7 1 stroke   Pierre Fulke
  Eduardo Romero
Forest of Arden [21]
1997   Greg Turner 275 −13 1 stroke   Colin Montgomerie Forest of Arden [22]
1996   Robert Allenby 284 −4 Playoff   Miguel Ángel Martín Collingtree Park [23]
Collingtree British Masters
1995   Sam Torrance 270 −18 1 stroke   Michael Campbell Collingtree Park
Dunhill British Masters
1994   Ian Woosnam (2) 271 −17 4 strokes   Seve Ballesteros Woburn
1993   Peter Baker 266 −22 7 strokes   Carl Mason Woburn [24]
1992   Christy O'Connor Jnr 270 −18 Playoff   Tony Johnstone Woburn [25]
1991   Seve Ballesteros (2) 275 −13 3 strokes   Eamonn Darcy
  David Gilford
  Tony Johnstone
  Sam Torrance
  Keith Waters
Woburn
1990   Mark James 270 −18 2 strokes   David Feherty Woburn
1989   Nick Faldo 267 −21 4 strokes   Ronan Rafferty Woburn
1988   Sandy Lyle 273 −15 2 strokes   Nick Faldo
  Mark McNulty
Woburn
1987   Mark McNulty 274 −14 1 stroke   Ian Woosnam Woburn [26]
1986   Seve Ballesteros 275 −13 2 strokes   Gordon Brand Jnr Woburn [27]
1985   Lee Trevino 278 −10 3 strokes   Rodger Davis Woburn
Silk Cut Masters
1984: No tournament
1983   Ian Woosnam 269 −15 3 strokes   Bernard Gallacher St. Pierre
Dunlop Masters
1982   Greg Norman (2) 267 −17 8 strokes   Bernhard Langer St. Pierre
1981   Greg Norman 273 −15 4 strokes   Graham Marsh Woburn
1980   Bernhard Langer 270 −14 5 strokes   Brian Barnes St. Pierre
1979   Graham Marsh 283 −5 1 stroke   Isao Aoki
  Neil Coles
Woburn
1978   Tommy Horton 279 −5 1 stroke   Dale Hayes
  Graham Marsh
  Brian Waites
St. Pierre
1977   Guy Hunt 291 +7 Playoff   Brian Barnes Lindrick [28]
1976   Baldovino Dassù 271 −13 1 stroke   Hubert Green St. Pierre
1975   Bernard Gallacher (2) 289 +5 2 strokes   Dale Hayes Ganton
1974   Bernard Gallacher 282 −2 Playoff   Gary Player St. Pierre [29]
1973   Tony Jacklin (2) 272 −12 7 strokes   Bob Charles St. Pierre [30]
1972   Bob Charles 277 −11 2 strokes   Tony Jacklin Northumberland
1971   Maurice Bembridge 273 −11 2 strokes   Peter Oosterhuis St. Pierre [31]
1970   Brian Huggett 293 +9 5 strokes   David Graham Royal Lytham & St Annes [32]
1969   Cobie Legrange (2) 281 3 strokes   Peter Butler Little Aston [33]
1968   Peter Thomson (2) 274 5 strokes   Dave Thomas Sunningdale [34]
1967   Tony Jacklin 274 3 strokes   Neil Coles Royal St George's [35][36]
1966   Neil Coles 278 1 stroke   Christy O'Connor Snr
  Peter Thomson
Lindrick [37]
1965   Bernard Hunt (2) 283 1 stroke   Peter Thomson Portmarnock [38]
1964   Cobie Legrange 288 1 stroke   Max Faulkner
  Ralph Moffitt
Royal Birkdale [39][40]
1963   Bernard Hunt 282 Playoff   Ralph Moffitt Little Aston [41]
1962   Dai Rees 278 2 strokes   Ralph Moffitt
  Peter Thomson
Wentworth [42]
1961   Peter Thomson 284 8 strokes   Christy O'Connor Snr Royal Porthcawl [43]
1960   Jimmy Hitchcock 275 2 strokes   Max Faulkner
  John Jacobs
  Bobby Locke
Sunningdale [44]
1959   Christy O'Connor Snr (2) 276 4 strokes   Joe Carr (a)
  Norman Drew
Portmarnock [45]
1958   Harry Weetman (2) 276 4 strokes   Bobby Locke Little Aston [46]
1957   Eric Brown 275 3 strokes   Peter Alliss Notts [47]
1956   Christy O'Connor Snr 277 1 stroke   Eric Brown Prestwick [48]
1955   Harry Bradshaw (2) 277 4 strokes   Henry Cotton Little Aston [49]
1954   Bobby Locke (2) 291 3 strokes   Harry Bradshaw Prince's [50]
1953   Harry Bradshaw 272 3 strokes   Max Faulkner Sunningdale [51]
1952   Harry Weetman 281 4 strokes   Arthur Lees Mere [52]
1951   Max Faulkner 281 4 strokes   Reg Horne Wentworth [53]
1950   Dai Rees 281 4 strokes   Charlie Ward Royal Liverpool [54]
1949   Charlie Ward 290 Playoff   John Burton St Andrews [55][56]
1948   Norman Von Nida 272 2 strokes   Fred Daly Sunningdale [57]
1947   Arthur Lees 283 Playoff   Norman Von Nida Little Aston [58][59]
1946   Jimmy Adams
  Bobby Locke
286 Title shared Stoneham [9][60]

Multiple winners

edit

References

edit
  1. ^ Jacobs, Raymond (10 June 1982). "Norman bids to turn the tide". Glasgow Herald. p. 17. Archived from the original on 13 August 2021. Retrieved 13 August 2021.
  2. ^ "British Masters dropped from Tour". BBC Sport. 13 May 2009. Archived from the original on 16 May 2009. Retrieved 14 May 2009.
  3. ^ a b c d "Betfred British Masters to return to Close House in 2020". PGA European Tour. 12 May 2019. Archived from the original on 12 May 2019. Retrieved 12 May 2019.
  4. ^ "Donald to host 2016 British Masters at The Grove". PGA European Tour. 19 October 2015. Archived from the original on 20 October 2015. Retrieved 20 October 2015.
  5. ^ "Justin Rose to host 2018 British Masters at Walton Heath". PGA European Tour. 6 December 2017. Archived from the original on 7 December 2017. Retrieved 6 December 2017.
  6. ^ "European Tour: Tournament schedule for 2021". Sky Sports. 15 December 2020. Archived from the original on 15 December 2020. Retrieved 15 December 2020.
  7. ^ "DP World Tour: Tournaments, dates, venues and Rolex Series event for historic 2022 season". Sky Sports. 9 November 2021. Archived from the original on 9 November 2021. Retrieved 9 November 2021.
  8. ^ Keane, Conor (16 January 2023). "Sir Nick Faldo Announced As The New Betfred British Masters Host Until 2027". The Sportsman. Archived from the original on 16 January 2023. Retrieved 16 January 2023.
  9. ^ a b Callander, Colin; Plumridge, Chris (31 May 2003). "Tales from the Masters". The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on 29 February 2016. Retrieved 2 February 2011.
  10. ^ "British Masters: Richard Bland claims first victory at 478th attempt after play-off at The Belfry". Sky Sports. 15 May 2021. Archived from the original on 1 February 2022. Retrieved 1 February 2022.
  11. ^ "Fernandez-Castano wins at Belfry". BBC Sport. 28 September 2008. Archived from the original on 5 October 2008. Retrieved 2 February 2011.
  12. ^ "Westwood snatches British Masters". BBC Sport. 23 September 2007. Retrieved 2 February 2011.
  13. ^ "Edfors makes two long putts to win British Masters". USA Today. Sutton Coldfield. Associated Press. 14 May 2006. Retrieved 2 February 2011.
  14. ^ "Bjorn wins Masters after play-off". BBC Sport. 15 May 2005. Archived from the original on 10 March 2006. Retrieved 2 February 2011.
  15. ^ "Lane clinches Masters title". BBC Sport. 9 May 2004. Archived from the original on 25 May 2006. Retrieved 2 February 2011.
  16. ^ Mair, Lewine (9 June 2003). "British Masters: Owen holds his nerve to secure first win". The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on 3 April 2015. Retrieved 2 February 2011.
  17. ^ "Rose masters Woburn". BBC Sport. 2 June 2002. Archived from the original on 27 August 2003. Retrieved 2 February 2011.
  18. ^ "Levet wins British Masters". BBC Sport. 3 June 2001. Archived from the original on 17 December 2002. Retrieved 2 February 2011.
  19. ^ Farrell, Andy (14 August 2000). "Masterful Orr capitalises on Montgomerie's shortcomings". The Independent. Archived from the original on 10 November 2012. Retrieved 2 February 2011.
  20. ^ Farrell, Andy (13 September 1999). "May makes it 23rd time lucky". The Independent. Archived from the original on 10 November 2012. Retrieved 2 February 2011.
  21. ^ Farrell, Andy (14 September 1998). "Master Monty closes the gap". The Independent. Archived from the original on 10 November 2012. Retrieved 2 February 2011.
  22. ^ Farrell, Andy (22 September 1997). "Montgomerie charge falls just short". The Independent. Archived from the original on 10 November 2012. Retrieved 2 February 2011.
  23. ^ Farrell, Andy (2 September 1996). "Allenby the play-off king". The Independent. Archived from the original on 10 November 2012. Retrieved 2 February 2011.
  24. ^ Glover, Tim (7 June 1993). "Fabulous Baker boy delivers quality goods". The Independent. Archived from the original on 10 November 2012. Retrieved 2 February 2011.
  25. ^ O'Connor, Terry (2 June 1992). "Shaking off a shocker". The Gainesville Sun. Associated Press. Retrieved 2 February 2011.
  26. ^ "McNulty grabs British Masters with birdie". The Schenectady Gazette. United Press International. 8 June 1987. Archived from the original on 30 March 2024. Retrieved 2 February 2011.
  27. ^ "Win gives Seve a timely boost as he heads for US". The Glasgow Herald. 9 June 1986. p. 12. Archived from the original on 12 October 2022. Retrieved 12 October 2022.
  28. ^ "Hunt wins first pro golf tourney". Lewiston Morning Tribune. Worksop. Associated Press. 2 October 1977. Archived from the original on 30 March 2024. Retrieved 2 February 2011.
  29. ^ Jacobs, Raymond (7 October 1974). "A triumph for mind over matter". Glasgow Herald. Archived from the original on 30 March 2024. Retrieved 2 February 2011.
  30. ^ Jacobs, Raymond (8 October 1973). "Tony Jacklin a victim of his own prowess". The Glasgow Herald. p. 7. Archived from the original on 14 March 2023. Retrieved 23 October 2023.
  31. ^ Jacobs, Raymond (4 October 1971). "Bembridge outlasts Peter Oosterhuis with birdie finish". Glasgow Herald. Archived from the original on 8 March 2022. Retrieved 2 February 2011.
  32. ^ Jacobs, Raymond (14 September 1970). "Huggett "scrambles" to record 65 and Masters title". Glasgow Herald. Archived from the original on 4 April 2023. Retrieved 2 February 2011.
  33. ^ Jacobs, Raymond (15 September 1969). "Legrange wins from the front". Glasgow Herald. Archived from the original on 5 October 2023. Retrieved 2 February 2011.
  34. ^ Jacobs, Raymond (16 September 1968). "Thompson Master golfer for a second time". Glasgow Herald. Archived from the original on 30 March 2024. Retrieved 2 February 2011.
  35. ^ Jacobs, Raymond (18 September 1967). "Jacklin arrives at milestone in burgeoning career". Glasgow Herald. Archived from the original on 30 March 2024. Retrieved 2 February 2011.
  36. ^ "Top field for women's golf". Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 - 1995). 18 September 1967. p. 14. Archived from the original on 30 March 2024. Retrieved 15 June 2021.
  37. ^ Jacobs, Raymond (19 September 1966). "N. C. Coles triumphs in Dunlop Masters". Glasgow Herald. Archived from the original on 30 March 2024. Retrieved 2 February 2011.
  38. ^ Jacobs, Raymond (20 September 1965). "Masters title for B. J. Hunt". Glasgow Herald. p. 12. Archived from the original on 30 March 2024. Retrieved 2 February 2011.
  39. ^ "Legrange cops British Masters". Reading Eagle. 28 June 1964. p. 48. Archived from the original on 5 October 2023. Retrieved 3 February 2011.
  40. ^ Jacobs, Raymond (29 June 1964). "Masters title for Le Grange". Glasgow Herald. p. 9. Archived from the original on 30 March 2024. Retrieved 3 February 2011.
  41. ^ "Masters title for B. J. Hunt". Glasgow Herald. 1 July 1963. p. 4. Archived from the original on 30 March 2024. Retrieved 3 February 2011.
  42. ^ "Rees hold off Thompson's challenge". Glasgow Herald. 2 July 1962. p. 4. Archived from the original on 30 March 2024. Retrieved 3 February 2011.
  43. ^ Horne, Cyril (18 September 1961). "Thompson shows how to play in the wind". Glasgow Herald. p. 9. Archived from the original on 30 March 2024. Retrieved 3 February 2011.
  44. ^ "Hitchcock's victory in Masters". Glasgow Herald. 19 September 1960. p. 9. Archived from the original on 30 March 2024. Retrieved 3 February 2011.
  45. ^ Horne, Cyril (19 September 1960). "Second Masters' title for O'Connor". Glasgow Herald. p. 9. Archived from the original on 19 July 2021. Retrieved 3 February 2011.
  46. ^ Horne, Cyril (22 September 1958). "Masters golfer's visit to Scotland". Glasgow Herald. p. 3. Archived from the original on 30 March 2024. Retrieved 3 February 2011.
  47. ^ "E. C. Brown's success in Masters tournament". Glasgow Herald. 23 September 1957. p. 11. Retrieved 3 February 2011.
  48. ^ "Irishman beats Scotsman in thrilling finish at Prestwick". Glasgow Herald. 21 September 1956. p. 4. Archived from the original on 30 March 2024. Retrieved 3 February 2011.
  49. ^ "Bradshaw wins "Masters" golf tournament". Glasgow Herald. 22 September 1955. p. 4. Archived from the original on 30 March 2024. Retrieved 3 February 2011.
  50. ^ "Locke's three-stroke win in Masters' golf". Glasgow Herald. 8 October 1954. p. 4. Archived from the original on 30 March 2024. Retrieved 3 February 2011.
  51. ^ "Bradshaw wins "Masters" in great finish". Glasgow Herald. 9 October 1953. p. 9. Archived from the original on 30 March 2024. Retrieved 3 February 2011.
  52. ^ ""Master" title and Vardon Trophy". Glasgow Herald. 10 October 1952. p. 9. Archived from the original on 30 March 2024. Retrieved 3 February 2011.
  53. ^ "Faulkner's splendid golf "double"". Glasgow Herald. 12 October 1951. p. 7. Archived from the original on 30 March 2024. Retrieved 3 February 2011.
  54. ^ "D. J. Rees wins Masters' tournament". Glasgow Herald. 13 October 1950. p. 9. Archived from the original on 30 March 2024. Retrieved 3 February 2011.
  55. ^ "Ward and J. Burton tie at St Andrews". Glasgow Herald. 7 October 1949. p. 9. Archived from the original on 17 March 2023. Retrieved 3 February 2011.
  56. ^ "C. H. Ward's winning rally at St Andrews". Glasgow Herald. 8 October 1949. p. 2. Archived from the original on 17 March 2023. Retrieved 3 February 2011.
  57. ^ "Von Nida plays 'greatest round of my life'". Glasgow Herald. 8 October 1948. p. 2. Retrieved 3 February 2011.
  58. ^ "Lees and Von Nida tie for "Masters" title". Glasgow Herald. 10 October 1947. p. 2. Archived from the original on 30 March 2024. Retrieved 3 February 2011.
  59. ^ "Von Nida meets his Master". Glasgow Herald. 11 October 1947. p. 2. Archived from the original on 30 March 2024. Retrieved 3 February 2011.
  60. ^ "Adams ties with Locke". Glasgow Herald. 11 October 1946. p. 2. Archived from the original on 30 March 2024. Retrieved 3 February 2011.
edit

54°59′10″N 1°48′14″W / 54.986°N 1.804°W / 54.986; -1.804