The prestigious Back 9 stage of the DP World Tour season began with the Betfred British Masters at The Belfry, its home since the 2021 tournament.
A strong field is competing at the event, and a look at what’s at stake helps explain why.
One of the most obvious incentives is the prize money available at the tournament, which stands at $3.5m – the largest for so far this season that’s not a co-sanctioned or Rolex Series event.
That’s the same figure that was available a year ago, when Niklas Norgaard survived a late scare for his maiden DP World Tour title to earn a $595,000 first prize, and this week’s champion will scoop the same sum, with the runner-up claiming $385,00.
After 54 holes, Matt Fitzpatrick was in prime position for the first prize, beginning the final round one ahead of Alex Noren.
However, while the tournament is one of the most lucrative on the DP World Tour this season, it’s far from the only incentive for the field.
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The tournament marks the final qualifying event for players hoping to make the European Ryder Cup team and, ahead of the event, only one automatic qualifying place remained up for grabs.
Shane Lowry, who is playing in the Tour Championship this week, currently holds the sixth and final spot; however, the Irishman could be pipped to the place by a player in the Betfred British Masters field as qualifying points aren’t available in the East Lake tournament.
That also discounts the chances of Sepp Straka, who is seventh in the rankings, Ludvig Aberg, who is ninth, and Viktor Hovland in 10th, as they are also teeing it up in the Tour Championship.
Therefore, all eyes will be on Rasmus Hojgaard in the final round of the Betfred British Masters, who is eighth in the rankings and needs to finish in a two-way tie for 29th or better. He’s T14 ahead of the final round.
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The Back 9 events also have more Race to Dubai ranking points than previous phases this season, with 5,000 at the Betfred British Masters, of which the winner will claim 835.
With all that at stake, it is no surprise to see a strong field at the tournament. Among the big names who made the cut were Alex Noren, Nicolai Hojgaard and Danish Golf Championship winner Marco Penge.
However, one notable name who…
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