Augusta, GA …
It can be labelled as one of the biggest England invasion to the States since the Beatles.
A record-setting 11 England-born players will tee-up later today in the 2017 Masters at Augusta National.
Leading the England Armada is the proud duo of Olympic Gold Medal winning Justin Rose and defending Masters champion Danny Willett and stretches all the way to Portsmouth’s Scott Gregory.
Gregory, as the reigning British Amateur champ, is coming off a Georgia Cup victory last week over Aussie Curtis Luck, the current U.S. Amateur and also Asia Pacific Amateur winner.
It is the biggest non-American born representation among the 19 other flags flying this week the history of the Masters and surpassing a record that stood of 51-years when 10 England players contested the 1966 Maste
Joining Rose, Willett and Gregory is Paul Casey, Ross Fisher, Matthew Fitzpatrick, Tommy Fleetwood, Tyrrell Hatton, Andy Sullivan, Lee Westwood and the tallest Englander of all, Chris Wood.
Between the 11 England golfers is a combined 49 Masters appearances and that’s with three in the golfing ‘Armada’, in Fleetwood, Hatton and Gregory, competing for a first occasion.
While it has been Willett basking in the limelight over the opening three days, it’s been very much Westwood carrying the torch since Nick Faldo last played the Masters in 2006, and with Westwood finishing runner-up a year ago to Willett and in what was Westwood’s second runner’s-up role.
“There’s clearly been a great knock-on effect in England golfer with the world rankings and the Ryder Cup qualification,” he said.
So, it’s nice to see these younger England players securing places in the big tournaments for the rest of the year”.
Casey contested his first Masters in 2004 and was very much a regular until the period 2013 and 2014 when he dropped well outside the top-50.
But the current World No. 16 has been revitalised by his second marriage and the birth of a first child as evident in finishing T6th in 2015 and an Augusta best of T4th a year ago that including equalling Willett’s low final round of 67.
“I don’t have many more opportunities left, but I’ve certainly still got the skills to get my way around Augusta and put myself in position,” he said.
“Hopefully, Danny’s victory last year will be spark more to come from England players in the next 15 years.”
Sullivan has again got a huge Nuneaton Golf Club fan base with him this week as the 30-year old enjoyed twelve months ago despite missing the cut on his Masters debut.
“My game is so much stronger than a year ago coming off a strong showing last week in Houston so I’ve come back here a year ready to perform,” he said.
“Last year I was just in awe and couldn’t believe I was playing Augusta.
“But this year I have a better mindset than just being like a spectator of sorts a year ago.
“And to be one of a record number of England golfers just speaks volumes for the strength of England golf at present, so long may it continue.”
Wood, and the reigning BMW PGA champion, has one of the youngest patrons and that’s his six-week old son.
“Yeah, much has changed since I was here last firstly getting married and now a son but so far he’s been great and my wife’s been out here walking with him in a baby sling but it’s not green,” he said smiling.
“But there is no place like Augusta no matter where we go around the world to play golf.
“I was first here in 2010 and I was completely overawed by the whole thing but now being here for my third time, and seven years on from back then, it’s only this year I feel like I can start to get comfortable being here.
“I saw a quote from Justin Rose over the weekend saying he would rather lose his passport than his Augusta course planner and he’s totally right.”
