(Image by: tyrrellhatton)
The British Masters has long had a special place on the DP World Tour. Having first been played back in 1946 the great and the good of European golf have been able to capture this prestigious title and this year plenty of Europe’s finest will hope to join their ranks.
In order to breathe new life into the tournament, recently the tournament has had various professional hosts. Luke Donald, Lee Westwood, Justin Rose have all played host but in 2023 it was decided that Sir Nick Faldo would take over the hosting duties until 2026.
After having rotated around certain venues over the last few years, the tournament has a new permanent host at the Belfry. Ranked as one of Britain’s best courses, the course has hosted numerous Ryder Cups and many professional tournaments. It is a fitting scene for one of the best tournaments on the DP World Tour.
Although the British Masters is competing against the conclusion of the FedEx Playoffs, the Race to Dubai is heating up and this week will offer the chance for the players to earn some big points.
Ahead of the tournament teeing off on Thursday, here is everything that you need to know.
The Course
The tournament will be played at the Belfry’s Brabazon Course. The Brabazon measures at 7,336 yards and will play as a par 72. Water and thick rough are a common feature of the course and with the fairways tight, a player will need to be exceptionally accurate if they are to find themselves in contention.
The two signature holes on the Brabazon are the 10th and 18th. The tenth hole measures just over 300 yards and is one of the shortest par 4s on the DP World Tour.
With the green situated just over the water, those that want to chase glory are required to carry the water over 250 yards, if they get it right there is a great chance that a player may make eagle, if the strike isn’t pure, there is a good chance that a ball will meet a watery end.
The 18th hole is a challenging par four. With water once again playing a huge part, from the tee box a player needs to avoid the water off the left. The challenge doesn’t end there. Approaching a two tier green, the green is surrounded by water and has the ability to ruin any good round.
Set to play a key part on Sunday, a player won’t win this week if they don’t conquer both the 10th and 18th holes.
(Image by: mattwallacegolf)
Who is Set to Feature This week?
Although Europe’s best players will be over at Eastlake, competing in the PGA Tour Championship, there is plenty of value on offer this week.
Set to lead the betting is Tyrell Hatton. Despite joining LIV earlier this year, Hatton has never ceded his DP World Tour membership and despite having fines to pay for his LIV involvement, Hatton is still eligible to play this week.
A star of Europe’s Ryder Cup victory last year, since Hatton has moved to LIV he has been able to take the breakaway tour by storm and currently sits in the top three in the LIV individual standings.
Having won in LIV Nashville, he has posted top three finishes at LIV Andalucia and LIV UK, playing some brilliantly consistent golf, Hatton will hope to remind those on the European Tour of what a great player he is. If he plays his best he looks to have a great chance of winning his seventh European Tour title.
Matt Wallace comes next in the betting. It’s been a tough season for the Englishman who would have had dreams of competing in this week’s Tour Championship, but he will hope to make up for his absence at Eastlake with a strong showing at the Belfry.
A winner on the PGA Tour, he has also won four European titles, but hasn’t won a tournament in front of his home fans. A fiery competitor, you know that every time Wallace tees it up he will be giving it his all, but he needs to find his form.
Having just made one top ten finish all season, Wallace has missed the cut in two of his last five starts and needs to find some consistency. Back on a layout that should suit, Wallace will be hopeful of a strong week.
Completing the top three in the betting is Thorbjorn Olesen. The winner of this event back in 2022, Olesen knows what it takes to win this tournament and he will hope to put that winning experience to good use this week.
An eight time winner on the DP World Tour, few have been able to match his consistency over the last decade and every time that Olesen tees it up he has a chance of winning. However, over the last few months that hasn’t been the case.
A winner of the Ras Al Khaimah Championship back in January, he has yet to finish in the top ten since. Needing to change that record here, he will hope that a return to a tournament and environment he clearly enjoys will spark an upturn in form.
(Image by: thorbjornolesen)
What Players Represent Value This Week?
Most weeks on the DP World Tour give bettors the chance to unlock some value and that looks the case once again.
At 25/1, Rasmus Hojgaard looks to be the best value option of the week. Billed as one of Europe’s brightest prospects, European fans should enjoy Hojgaard whilst they can as a future on the PGA Tour awaits.
Without a win this year, Hojgaard has two top ten finishes this season and for a man who almost made the European Ryder Cup team last season, that record isn’t good enough.
He will want to show everyone what a good player he is and he has the perfect opportunity to do that this week.
Another player who could be worth siding with is Thriston Lawrence. For those with a good memory, Lawrence almost shocked the world when leading through much of the final round at this year’s Open. Although he would ultimately be denied, his fourth place finish at Troon has seen him sit sixth in the overall Race to Dubai standings.
Dividing his time between the European and African Tours, Lawrence was a winner down in Africa last week. Clearly in great form, he could be one of the best bets of the week.
Jack Hartman
A keen golfer and huge fan of the game, Jack has been covering golf for the last five years. Bringing you all the latest coverage and news from the PGA, LIV, LPGA and DP World Tours, never before has golf been so popular and Jack can’t wait to bring all the excitement to his readers.
