The Back 9 on the DP World Tour got off to an exciting start as Alex Noren enjoyed a long-awaited and hard-earned return to the winner’s circle as the Ryder Cup qualification process for Team Europe came to an end at the Betfred British Masters hosted by Sir Nick Faldo.
Noren held off Nicolai Højgaard and an inspired finish by Kazuma Kobori to claim a one-shot victory and win for the first time worldwide since the Open de France in July 2018.
Rasmus Højgaard secured the sixth and final automatic qualification spot on Team Europe for next month’s Ryder Cup at Bethpage, New York, by virtue of his tie for 13th place seeing him overhaul Shane Lowry.
It provided for an entertaining climax to the fifth successive edition of the Betfred British Masters – a founding event on the DP World Tour schedule – to be held at The Belfry Hotel & Resort, continuing a long-standing association between the venue and the tour.
This year's tournament marked the DP World Tour's 22nd event to be held at The Belfry, with the Sutton Coldfield venue first hosting the Lada English Golf Classic, won by the late Seve Ballesteros in 1979.
Reflecting on this year’s edition of the British Masters, Chris Eigelaar, Resort Director at The Belfry, said: “First of all, it is our sixth tournament back to back, the first being the ISPS HANDA in 2020 and then four Betfred British Masters in a row.
“It is amazing to have a partner like Betfred supporting and investing into the tournament but alongside us and the DP World Tour we are seeing the numbers increase on a yearly basis.
“The field is getting stronger and stronger every year as well. This year, it is the strongest field we have had in five years which shows and represents the success we have had in the last five years.”
A spiritual home of the Ryder Cup, hosting the biennial showpiece on four occasions, The Belfry has undergone an expansion project costing over £85 million.
Among the upgrades made to the venue were a brand-new events venue, a state-of-the-art fitness and leisure club and new accommodation with views looking over the renowned Brabazon course.
Speaking about the project which began two years ago, Eigelaar added: “On the back of the great relationship we have with Betfred and the DP World Tour, we have continued to invest in our product.
“[The Belfry] is an amazing, outstanding destination but we have got so much to offer.”
The Belfry will remain as the host venue for the British Masters in 2026.
