News
Major Champions and former World Number Ones join Rose at Walton Heath
September 21, 2018
Justin Rose will be joined by his fellow former Major Champions Padraig Harrington, Martin Kaymer and Graeme McDowell at next month’s Sky Sports British Masters next month, while two more former World Number Ones in Luke Donald and Lee Westwood have also confirmed their participation.
Excitement is building ahead of this year's event as the tournament host Rose returns home for the first time since rising to the top of the Official World Golf Ranking – he will be the third successive Sky Sports British Masters host to have been ranked the best in the world, after Westwood and Donald.
Rose has attracted a field crammed full of quality and the addition of Harrington, Kaymer and McDowell – with six Major titles between them – will only add to the class on show as Walton Heath Golf Club hosts the event for the first time, from October 11-14.
On top of that, Donald and Westwood - the 2016 and 2017 British Masters hosts, respectively - will delight the English fans when the former Race to Dubai winners return to home soil. The Open Champion Francesco Molinari was announced earlier this week, while the 2017 Race to Dubai champion Tommy Fleetwood is also confirmed to play.
Donald, Harrington, McDowell and Westwood will all form a part of Thomas Bjørn's team of Ryder Cup Vice Captains at Le Golf National in just under two weeks' time and the Danish Captain will also join the field at the Sky Sports British Masters, along with another Vice Captain in Robert Karlsson.
“The British Masters has always been a tournament close to my heart and even more so since hosting the event at Close House last year,” said 23-time European Tour winner Westwood. “Walton Heath is a great course and with Justin hosting, it's all set to be a fantastic week.”
Donald, who hosted in 2016, said: “I'm delighted to be cleared to play at this year's British Masters after my injury problems – it's such a great event which has grown year on year, and to be playing at Walton Heath is a real boost too, as well as having Justin as host. I know the famously supportive British crowds will be out in force and hopefully I can give them something to cheer about.”
Three-time Major winner Harrington said: “I'm really looking forward to returning to the Sky Sports British Masters. Walton Heath is a classic heathland course and will provide a fair and challenging test of golf. I'm sure it will be a great week with Justin as host.”
Kaymer, who was World Number One for eight weeks in 2011, said: “I really enjoyed playing the British Masters last year and the crowds were superb. I'm sure it will be another superb week, especially with Justin hosting, and I can't wait to play a proper British course in Walton Heath.”
“The British Masters has really become a top event on the schedule since returning in 2015 and I'm delighted to be playing again this year. Justin will be a great host and Walton Heath is one of those famous English British golf courses which I'm sure all the players will enjoy playing.”
Walton Heath has hosted a number of leading events over the years, including The 1981 Ryder Cup, the European Open on five occasions between 1978 and 1991, and The 2011 Senior Open Championship, won by American Russ Cochran.
Tickets for the 2018 British Masters supported by Sky Sports can be purchased here .
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