British Masters

Last updated

Betfred British Masters
Betfred British Masters Logo.png
Tournament information
Location Wishaw, Warwickshire, England
Established1946
Course(s) The Belfry
(Brabazon Course)
Par72
Length7,336 yards (6,708 m)
Tour(s) European Tour
Format Stroke play
Prize fund US$3,500,000
Month playedAugust/September
Tournament record score
Aggregate260 Paul Dunne (2017)
To par−22 Peter Baker (1993)
Current champion
Flag of Sweden.svg Alex Norén
Location map
England relief location map.jpg
Icona golf.svg
The Belfry
Location in England
Warwickshire UK relief location map.jpg
Icona golf.svg
The Belfry
Location in Warwickshire

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.

Contents

History

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

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

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

YearWinnerScoreTo parMargin of
victory
Runner(s)-upVenueRef.
Betfred British Masters
2025 Flag of Sweden.svg Alex Norén (2)272−161 stroke Flag of Denmark.svg Nicolai Højgaard
Flag of New Zealand.svg Kazuma Kobori
The Belfry
2024 Flag of Denmark.svg Niklas Nørgaard 272−162 strokes Flag of South Africa.svg Thriston Lawrence The Belfry
2023 Flag of New Zealand.svg Daniel Hillier 278−102 strokes Flag of the United States.svg Gunner Wiebe
Flag of England.svg Oliver Wilson
The Belfry
2022 Flag of Denmark.svg Thorbjørn Olesen 278−101 stroke Flag of Sweden.svg Sebastian Söderberg The Belfry
2021 Flag of England.svg Richard Bland 275−13Playoff Flag of Italy.svg Guido Migliozzi The Belfry
2020 Flag of Italy.svg Renato Paratore 266−183 strokes Flag of Denmark.svg Rasmus Højgaard Close House
2019 Flag of Sweden.svg Marcus Kinhult 272−161 stroke Flag of Scotland.svg Robert MacIntyre
Flag of England.svg Eddie Pepperell
Flag of England.svg Matt Wallace
Hillside
Sky Sports British Masters
2018 Flag of England.svg Eddie Pepperell 279−92 strokes Flag of Sweden.svg Alexander Björk Walton Heath
British Masters
2017 Flag of Ireland.svg Paul Dunne 260−203 strokes Ulster Banner.svg Rory McIlroy Close House
2016 Flag of Sweden.svg Alex Norén 266−182 strokes Flag of Austria.svg Bernd Wiesberger The Grove
2015 Flag of England.svg Matt Fitzpatrick 269−152 strokes Flag of Denmark.svg Søren Kjeldsen
Flag of Ireland.svg Shane Lowry
Flag of Paraguay.svg Fabrizio Zanotti
Woburn
2010–2014: No tournament
2009 Cancelled due to lack of sponsorship
Quinn Insurance British Masters
2008 Flag of Spain.svg Gonzalo Fernández-Castaño 276−12Playoff Flag of England.svg Lee Westwood The Belfry [11]
Quinn Direct British Masters
2007 Flag of England.svg Lee Westwood 273−155 strokes Flag of England.svg Ian Poulter The Belfry [12]
2006 Flag of Sweden.svg Johan Edfors 277−111 stroke Flag of England.svg Gary Emerson
Flag of Scotland.svg Stephen Gallacher
Flag of Sweden.svg Jarmo Sandelin
The Belfry [13]
Daily Telegraph Dunlop Masters
2005 Flag of Denmark.svg Thomas Bjørn 282−6Playoff Flag of England.svg Brian Davis
Flag of England.svg David Howell
Forest of Arden [14]
Daily Telegraph Damovo British Masters
2004 Flag of England.svg Barry Lane 272−163 strokes Flag of Argentina.svg Ángel Cabrera
Flag of Argentina.svg Eduardo Romero
Forest of Arden [15]
2003 Flag of England.svg Greg Owen 274−143 strokes Flag of France.svg Christian Cévaër
Flag of England.svg Ian Poulter
Forest of Arden [16]
Victor Chandler British Masters
2002 Flag of England.svg Justin Rose 269−191 stroke Flag of England.svg Ian Poulter Woburn [17]
2001 Flag of France.svg Thomas Levet 274−14Playoff Flag of Sweden.svg Mathias Grönberg
Flag of England.svg David Howell
Flag of Sweden.svg Robert Karlsson
Woburn [18]
2000 Flag of Scotland.svg Gary Orr 267−212 strokes Flag of Sweden.svg Per-Ulrik Johansson Woburn [19]
1999 Flag of the United States.svg Bob May 269−191 stroke Flag of Scotland.svg Colin Montgomerie Woburn [20]
One 2 One British Masters
1998 Flag of Scotland.svg Colin Montgomerie 281−71 stroke Flag of Sweden.svg Pierre Fulke
Flag of Argentina.svg Eduardo Romero
Forest of Arden [21]
1997 Flag of New Zealand.svg Greg Turner 275−131 stroke Flag of Scotland.svg Colin Montgomerie Forest of Arden [22]
1996 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Robert Allenby 284−4Playoff Flag of Spain.svg Miguel Ángel Martín Collingtree Park [23]
Collingtree British Masters
1995 Flag of Scotland.svg Sam Torrance 270−181 stroke Flag of New Zealand.svg Michael Campbell Collingtree Park
Dunhill British Masters
1994 Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg Ian Woosnam (2)271−174 strokes Flag of Spain.svg Seve Ballesteros Woburn
1993 Flag of England.svg Peter Baker 266−227 strokes Flag of England.svg Carl Mason Woburn [24]
1992 Flag of Ireland.svg Christy O'Connor Jnr 270−18Playoff Flag of Zimbabwe.svg Tony Johnstone Woburn [25]
1991 Flag of Spain.svg Seve Ballesteros (2)275−133 strokes Flag of Ireland.svg Eamonn Darcy
Flag of England.svg David Gilford
Flag of Zimbabwe.svg Tony Johnstone
Flag of Scotland.svg Sam Torrance
Flag of England.svg Keith Waters
Woburn
1990 Flag of England.svg Mark James 270−182 strokes Ulster Banner.svg David Feherty Woburn
1989 Flag of England.svg Nick Faldo 267−214 strokes Ulster Banner.svg Ronan Rafferty Woburn
1988 Flag of Scotland.svg Sandy Lyle 273−152 strokes Flag of England.svg Nick Faldo
Flag of Zimbabwe.svg Mark McNulty
Woburn
1987 Flag of Zimbabwe.svg Mark McNulty 274−141 stroke Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg Ian Woosnam Woburn [26]
1986 Flag of Spain.svg Seve Ballesteros 275−132 strokes Flag of Scotland.svg Gordon Brand Jnr Woburn [27]
1985 Flag of the United States.svg Lee Trevino 278−103 strokes Flag of Australia (converted).svg Rodger Davis Woburn
Silk Cut Masters
1984: No tournament
1983 Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg Ian Woosnam 269−153 strokes Flag of Scotland.svg Bernard Gallacher St. Pierre
Dunlop Masters
1982 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Greg Norman (2)267−178 strokes Flag of Germany.svg Bernhard Langer St. Pierre
1981 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Greg Norman 273−154 strokes Flag of Australia (converted).svg Graham Marsh Woburn
1980 Flag of Germany.svg Bernhard Langer 270−145 strokes Flag of Scotland.svg Brian Barnes St. Pierre
1979 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Graham Marsh 283−51 stroke Flag of Japan (1870-1999).svg Isao Aoki
Flag of England.svg Neil Coles
Woburn
1978 Flag of England.svg Tommy Horton 279−51 stroke Flag of South Africa (1928-1982).svg Dale Hayes
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Graham Marsh
Flag of England.svg Brian Waites
St. Pierre
1977 Flag of England.svg Guy Hunt 291+7Playoff Flag of Scotland.svg Brian Barnes Lindrick [28]
1976 Flag of Italy.svg Baldovino Dassù 271−131 stroke Flag of the United States.svg Hubert Green St. Pierre
1975 Flag of Scotland.svg Bernard Gallacher (2)289+52 strokes Flag of South Africa (1928-1982).svg Dale Hayes Ganton
1974 Flag of Scotland.svg Bernard Gallacher 282−2Playoff Flag of South Africa (1928-1982).svg Gary Player St. Pierre [29]
1973 Flag of England.svg Tony Jacklin (2)272−127 strokes Flag of New Zealand.svg Bob Charles St. Pierre [30]
1972 Flag of New Zealand.svg Bob Charles 277−112 strokes Flag of England.svg Tony Jacklin Northumberland
1971 Flag of England.svg Maurice Bembridge 273−112 strokes Flag of England.svg Peter Oosterhuis St. Pierre [31]
1970 Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg Brian Huggett 293+95 strokes Flag of Australia (converted).svg David Graham Royal Lytham & St Annes [32]
1969 Flag of South Africa (1928-1982).svg Cobie Legrange (2)2813 strokes Flag of England.svg Peter Butler Little Aston [33]
1968 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Peter Thomson (2)2745 strokes Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg Dave Thomas Sunningdale [34]
1967 Flag of England.svg Tony Jacklin 2743 strokes Flag of England.svg Neil Coles Royal St George's [35] [36]
1966 Flag of England.svg Neil Coles 2781 stroke Flag of Ireland.svg Christy O'Connor Snr
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Peter Thomson
Lindrick [37]
1965 Flag of England.svg Bernard Hunt (2)2831 stroke Flag of Australia (converted).svg Peter Thomson Portmarnock [38]
1964 Flag of South Africa (1928-1982).svg Cobie Legrange 2881 stroke Flag of England.svg Max Faulkner
Flag of England.svg Ralph Moffitt
Royal Birkdale [39] [40]
1963 Flag of England.svg Bernard Hunt 282Playoff Flag of England.svg Ralph Moffitt Little Aston [41]
1962 Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg Dai Rees 2782 strokes Flag of England.svg Ralph Moffitt
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Peter Thomson
Wentworth [42]
1961 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Peter Thomson 2848 strokes Flag of Ireland.svg Christy O'Connor Snr Royal Porthcawl [43]
1960 Flag of England.svg Jimmy Hitchcock 2752 strokes Flag of England.svg Max Faulkner
Flag of England.svg John Jacobs
Flag of South Africa (1928-1982).svg Bobby Locke
Sunningdale [44]
1959 Flag of Ireland.svg Christy O'Connor Snr (2)2764 strokes Flag of Ireland.svg Joe Carr (a)
Ulster Banner.svg Norman Drew
Portmarnock [45]
1958 Flag of England.svg Harry Weetman (2)2764 strokes Flag of South Africa (1928-1982).svg Bobby Locke Little Aston [46]
1957 Flag of Scotland.svg Eric Brown 2753 strokes Flag of England.svg Peter Alliss Notts [47]
1956 Flag of Ireland.svg Christy O'Connor Snr 2771 stroke Flag of Scotland.svg Eric Brown Prestwick [48]
1955 Flag of Ireland.svg Harry Bradshaw (2)2774 strokes Flag of England.svg Henry Cotton Little Aston [49]
1954 Flag of South Africa (1928-1982).svg Bobby Locke (2)2913 strokes Flag of Ireland.svg Harry Bradshaw Prince's [50]
1953 Flag of Ireland.svg Harry Bradshaw 2723 strokes Flag of England.svg Max Faulkner Sunningdale [51]
1952 Flag of England.svg Harry Weetman 2814 strokes Flag of England.svg Arthur Lees Mere [52]
1951 Flag of England.svg Max Faulkner 2814 strokes Flag of England.svg Reg Horne Wentworth [53]
1950 Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg Dai Rees 2814 strokes Flag of England.svg Charlie Ward Royal Liverpool [54]
1949 Flag of England.svg Charlie Ward 290Playoff Flag of England.svg John Burton St Andrews [55] [56]
1948 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Norman Von Nida 2722 strokes Ulster Banner.svg Fred Daly Sunningdale [57]
1947 Flag of England.svg Arthur Lees 283Playoff Flag of Australia (converted).svg Norman Von Nida Little Aston [58] [59]
1946 Flag of Scotland.svg Jimmy Adams
Flag of South Africa (1928-1982).svg Bobby Locke
286Title shared Stoneham [9] [60]

Multiple winners

References

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54°59′10″N1°48′14″W / 54.986°N 1.804°W / 54.986; -1.804