Aug 31, 2017: A trio of Major Champions will join tournament host Lee Westwood and Masters Champion Sergio Garcia as part of the star-studded line up for the British Masters supported by Sky Sports, which will be held at Close House in Northumberland, England, from September 28-October 1.
Martin Kaymer, Graeme McDowell and Danny Willett, all of whom have played in the same European Ryder Cup team as Westwood, are the latest big names to be added to the field for the British Masters, with Green Jacket winner Garcia, defending champion Alex Noren, and British stars Ross Fisher, Matthew Fitzpatrick, Tyrrell Hatton, Andrew ‘Beef’ Johnston and Chris Wood, previously confirmed for next month’s tournament.
“I’m delighted that Martin, Graeme and Danny will be joining me at Close House. They are obviously guys I know well and with the likes of Sergio, Alex and Beef already confirmed, we’ve got a great field for the British Masters next month. The north east region has really been getting behind the tournament, so everything is coming together nicely.” said Westwood.
Kaymer has two Major Championships to his name – the 2010 US PGA Championship and the 2014 US Open Championship – and like Westwood, he is a former World Number One. The German formed an undefeated partnership with Westwood in the 2010 Ryder Cup at The Celtic Manor Resort and two years later he memorably holed the putt which ensured Europe retained The Ryder Cup in the Miracle of Medinah.
Kaymer will be making only his second appearance in the British Masters, having previously finished tied 21st in 2007 – the year Westwood won the title at The Belfry.
“The British crowds love their golf so it is always very enjoyable to play in front of them,” said Kaymer. “I’ve known Lee a long time and had some great experiences alongside him in Ryder Cup teams, so it will be nice to join him at Close House for the British Masters and hopefully the event will be a big success.”
McDowell won the US Open at Pebble Beach in 2010, becoming the first European to win the title since Tony Jacklin in 1970, and he went on to secure the winning point for Europe in The Ryder Cup that year in Wales. The Northern Irishman has won ten times in total on the European Tour and finished tied fourth in last year’s British Masters at The Grove.
“Westy has done a great job with the British Masters and I’m looking forward to supporting him and the tournament at Close House,” said McDowell. “It will be good to take it to a new area, one which loves its sport, and hopefully I can play well again like I did at The Grove last year.”
Willett’s presence in the field alongside Garcia means the two most recent Masters Champions will be at Close House. The Englishman claimed the Green Jacket at Augusta National in 2016 – with Westwood finishing joint runner-up – and he is also looking forward to being part of the strong field at Close House.
“Lee and I obviously go back a long way so it will be good to join him in the British Masters field at Close House,” said Willett. “The British Masters has been a big success since it came back on our schedule and part of that has been taking it to different areas. I know the fans up in Newcastle have already been supporting the event, so I think we are all looking forward to playing there next month.”
European Tour Release
