The Betfred British Masters hosted by Sir Nick Faldo boasts a rich legacy as one of the DP World Tour’s most historic events, with this year’s edition marking the fifth on the spin to be held at The Belfry Hotel & Resort.
Since its return to the DP World Tour schedule in 2015 after a six-year hiatus, it initially moved around England, before The Belfry was announced as a long-term host venue until 2026.
Initially hosted by Danny Willett at The Belfry, and now by Sir Nick Faldo, a strong international field is once again set to play over the Brabazon Course as the Back 9 on the 2025 Race to Dubai gets under way.
Here, with insights from Edoardo Molinari, who before undergoing season-ending surgery on a thumb injury last week had played in each of the past four editions of the British Masters, we dive into the numbers to find out who the data says is best placed to win this week.
Who are the ever-presents?
Looking at recent history, there are 37 players who have played at The Belfry in all four editions of the Betfred British Masters since it returned there in 2021.
Among those are past champions like Eddie Pepperell, Gonzalo Fernández-Castaño, Renato Paratore and Thorbjørn Olesen.
Of those, Olesen is the only member of that quartet to have won at The Belfry, with the Dane - champion in 2022 - opting not to tee it up for a fifth year in a row this week.
Which players stand out the most at The Belfry?
When determining this, we are only focusing on players who have played in the Betfred British Masters on two or more occasions since 2021.
We are using the Strokes Gained: Total statistic to analyse a player's level when comparing every aspect of their performance to the rest of the field.
From this, 2024 champion Niklas Nørgaard is the player who leads those rankings, with a total of +1.750.
Another past winner in Richard Bland, who lifted the silverware in 2021, is second in this category (+1.289), with Rasmus Højgaard third (+1.219).
Some other notable performers in that category who are teeing it up this week include Thriston Lawrence (ranked fourth in Strokes Gained: Total), Brandon Stone (seventh), Calum Hill (eighth), Jordan Smith (ninth) and Joost Luiten (tenth).
Andrew Johnston, a fan favourite who has suffered with a series of injuries, ranks fifth but he is on the sidelines.
With three Danes in the top ten, could the Scandinavian nation produce this week's champion?
The data behind the top 10
| Player | Tournaments | SG: Total | SG: Off the tee | SG: Approach | SG: Wedge | S0G: Short game | SG: Putting |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Niklas Nørgaard | 3 | +1.750 | +1.307 | +0.027 | -0.450 | +0.159 | +0.745 |
| Richard Bland | 2 | +1.289 | +0.437 | +0.853 | +0.479 | -0.277 | -0.268 |
| Rasmus Højgaard | 3 | +1.219 | +0.499 | +0.628 | -0.169 | +0.200 | +0.196 |
| Thriston Lawrence | 3 | +1.166 | +1..197 | +0.454 | -0.076 | +0.014 | -0.310 |
| Andrew Johnston | 2 | +1.062 | +0.401 | -0.830 | +0.444 | +0.451 | +0.761 |
| Thorbjørn Olesen | 3 | +1.000 | -0.155 | -0.414 | +0.569 | +0.294 | +0.821 |
| Brandon Stone | 2 | +0.788 | +0.828 | +0.183 | -0.287 | -0.401 | +0.587 |
| Calum Hill | 3 | +0.765 | +0.951 | -0.336 | -0.228 | +0.328 | +0.257 |
| Jordan Smith | 4 | +0.765 | +1.008 | -0.117 | -0.031 | +0.412 | -0.427 |
| Joost Luiten | 3 | +0.750 | +0.090 | +0.0016 | +0.537 | +0.026 | +0.221 |
What are the keys to performing well at The Belfry?
Players tend to separate themselves off the tee, primarily. Short game and putting are also important barometers, whereas approach play is less important than normal.
Of those who were in the top ten for Strokes Gained: Total, only Thorbjørn Olesen is below the field average for Strokes Gained: Off the tee.
Nørgaard, Lawrence and Smith are all picking up at least a shot over the field off the tee.
When putting comes into focus, Nørgaard stands out again by comparison from most of his nearest challengers, with a total of +0.745. Only Olesen (+0.821) ranks better for SG: Putting.
Broadly speaking, players tend to separate themselves around 30% off the tee and another 35% on the greens, which is a significant amount across both categories.
Is experience an important factor?
There is no trend in good performances being linked to experience on the DP World Tour.
It’s more about who is best fitted to the course, including who can putt the best on what are some undulating poa annua greens.
The strategy factor
Most intriguingly, perhaps, is how players will play the short par four tenth hole – a signature hole.
Historically, most players tend to lay up.
However, the numbers say there is a big advantage in going for the green (around 0.3 shots/round, which is more than 1 shot/week).
In recent years, there have been more players going for it and it will be interesting to see if the trend continues.
History behind the venue
This year marks the 22nd DP World Tour event held at the Sutton Coldfield venue.
The Belfry first staged a DP World Tour event in 1979, when the late, great Seve Ballesteros won the Lada English Golf Classic.
Six years later, The Belfry was the scene of further historic moments at the 1985 Ryder Cup when Europe inflicted its first defeat on the United States team as Tony Jacklin’s men won 16½ - 11½.
It was the first of four Ryder Cups to be held at The Belfry, with the venue witnessing Europe retain the Cup in a tie in 1989 and also defeating the United States in 2002. The United States won the Ryder Cup there in 1993.
