The Grove, Watford …
Tiger Woods absence will not be missed in California but at The Grove club and venue for this week’s British Masters to the north of London.
The course, located close to Watford, last hosted a major tournament in staging the 2006 WGC – American Express Championship.
Woods teed-up as the then World No. 1 and also as the reigning Open Champion, WGC – Bridgestone Invitational winner and PGA Championship title holder.
The American, then at the peak of his profession, won with ease with a 23-under par tally and eight shots fewer than the joint second place duo of Ian Poulter and Adam Scott.
Sixty-three golf balls signed by all but one of the competitors who competed in the 2006 WGC – American Express Championship.
The top-four place finishes at The Grove in 2006.
There is also a display of 63 golf balls on a wall in The Grove clubhouse and placed in order of finish that week 10 years ago, and including then USA Ryder Cup captain, Tom Lehman who had been forced to withdraw through injury, and less than a week after the defeat of his team at the K. Club in Ireland.
All but one of the 63 golf balls, and that being Woods’ ball, has been signed by those who competed including a ball signed by Luke Donald.
Donald, who had finished sixth and 12 shots behind Woods, now finds himself a decade on hosting this week’s £3m ($US 3.6m) in the second of four arrangements featuring four of England’s best players.
Justin Rose hosted last year’s event while Lee Westwood will play host to next year’s tournament and Ian Poulter in 2018.
“The great thing is I was born in Hemel Hempstead and I grew up there which is only about 10 miles down the road,” said Donald.
“The when I was 10 years old, I went to school in Kings Langley, which isn’t too far away, either.
Luke Donald is hosting this week’s British Masters.
“I then played here at The Grove in 2006 when Tiger won here, and I’ve hosted a few corporate outings here.
“I was given a choice of a few courses so it wasn’t solely my choice to go wherever I wanted as only certain venues have the infrastructure to hold a championship like this.
“But the good thing I’ve success here and I played reasonably solid in 2006. It’s a course I enjoy. There’s a world-class hotel on site and all the practice facilities you need for a world class championship.
“So it just seemed like a natural choice to host it here.”
And the now 38-year old Donald, and currently ranked No. 69 in the world, finds himself in one of the star groups for the first two days.
Donald will partner the Ryder Cup rookie duo of Chris Wood and Andy Sullivan.
Andy Fraser looking to cement his place inside the world’s top-50 by the end of 2016.
Sullivan is returning to competition after competing at Hazeltine and with the Englishman’s focus now improving his current 14th place Race to Dubai standing and improve his present No. 51st world ranking.
“I feel like it’s a lot of weight off my shoulders now the Ryder Cup done, as I can try to get back to my winning ways,” said Sullivan who had played in just two matches for Europe but failed to win a point in either.
“There was a lot of hang up for me especially at the end trying to get into the European Team and it took away from going there trying to win events, sort of thing.
“So it’s just nice to get back and be preparing and trying to win tournaments.
“I want as big a finish to my year as possible and get myself cemented inside the top-50 and make sure I am ready for all the majors and bigger events next year.”
