Pepperell wins British Masters – but will he be able to defend his title?
What happened at the British Masters?
Nine months later and more than 4,000 miles away, Eddie Pepperell has his second European Tour title.
Having made his breakthrough in Qatar in February, the Englishman enjoyed his first win on home soil by going wire to wire at the Sky Sports British Masters, hosted by Justin Rose at Walton Heath.
Pepperell started the day with a three-shot lead, but got off to a iffy start, hooking a 2-iron into the trees from the opening tee. But he steadied the ship and a final-round 72 was enough to win by two over Alexander Bjork.
A winner already this season in China, Bjork made two birdies in his opening five holes and was always within touching distance of Pepperell – particularly when the leader carded back-to-back bogeys at 15 and 16.
But at 18, a hole he played in 2-under par all week, Pepperell rolled home a clutch par save to secure the victory.
Tournament host Rose signed off a busy week in the capital with a 2-under round of 70 and a salvaged a spot inside the top 10.
Final British Masters leaderboard
Talking Point
So what’s next for the British Masters?
There is a real possibility it won’t be on the European Tour calendar next year, with chief executive Keith Pelley admitting it’s not on the current schedule, due to be released on Monday, October 22.
The current deal with Sky Sports, which included four editions of the British Masters hosted by, in order, Ian Poulter at Woburn, Luke Donald at The Grove, Lee Westwood at Close House, and Justin Rose at Walton Heath, has now ended and Pelley added that the new agreement between the European Tour and Sky does not include the British Masters.
“To be honest, I’m disappointed we’ve been unable to find a title sponsor for next year given all the event has going for it,” Pelley told reporters on Sunday.
Rose, meanwhile, was not sitting on the fence, suggesting that perhaps it’s time the European Tour focused on having fewer more established tournaments.
“Dare I say it, there are so many events on the European Tour that shouldn’t be there,” he said. “And these events with history are the ones that should be there.
“I wonder if we should be focusing on condensing things slightly, and stressing quality over quantity. It’s such a shame when we lose events like this one, and we’ve seen it far too often with the loss of other traditional events like the European Open.
“These are the ones where the fans really come out in force in the UK and support them and they create the type of atmosphere which makes it such a pleasure for the players to compete.”
So, will the British Masters return in 2019, or will it be missing from the schedule for just the eighth year since its inception in 1946?
Pelley has a week to find a sponsor. Watch this space.
Best Quotes
"It feels special" ?
Pepperell on winning on home soil… pic.twitter.com/EHXyzmUKA8
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) October 14, 2018
Best Moments
EDDIE PEPPERELL WINS THE @SkySports BRITISH MASTERS
The Englishman finishes on -9 to land the prize.
? More: https://t.co/2X1F89PrCQ pic.twitter.com/v6y3g6EHf8
— Sky Sports Golf (@SkySportsGolf) October 14, 2018
Wins are more special when your family are there!#BritishMasters pic.twitter.com/jRPQylBwav
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) October 14, 2018
Advantage Eddie… pic.twitter.com/fuyZaNFCV8
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) October 14, 2018
"Eddie Pepperell doing all the special things.." ?#BritishMasters pic.twitter.com/OREQukGQBc
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) October 14, 2018
Tommy, Tommy, Tommy – Tommy, Tommy, Tommy FLEETWOOD!#BritishMasters pic.twitter.com/MLIlvbkjKp
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) October 14, 2018
Wow Eddie Pepperell!!! pic.twitter.com/RjdPJxzLvy
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) October 14, 2018
"Look at this for a golf shot"#BritishMasters pic.twitter.com/OMvIOv5Xau
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) October 14, 2018
Bjork applies the pressure…
…Eddie Pepperell responds. #BritishMasters pic.twitter.com/UKpk1jJgDO
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) October 14, 2018
Played 2043 par 3s on tour.
Made his 1st hole-in-one today..@PepperellEddie‘s reaction to his incredible hole-in-one ?.
Scores ?: https://t.co/EKRIv4bAdk pic.twitter.com/XbsuE9RlPV
— National Club Golfer (@NCGMagazine) October 11, 2018
.@TommyFleetwood1 has played 10/12 last weeks on tour:
The Open
RBC Canadian Open
WGC Bridgestone
PGA Championship
Dell Technologies
BMW Championship
TOUR Championship
Ryder Cup
Dunhill Links
British MastersStill has time to sleep & shoot 67 to co-lead the #BritishMasters ?. pic.twitter.com/JJBzySuOUu
— National Club Golfer (@NCGMagazine) October 11, 2018
??♂️ Tee it up
? Find fairway
♻️ REPEAT.@F_Molinari stripe show ?. #BritishMasters pic.twitter.com/DeI7YcUGgt
— National Club Golfer (@NCGMagazine) October 11, 2018
Here it is in all its glory ?
The Guinness is on Lowry tonight! pic.twitter.com/R6mZpIXAXW
— National Club Golfer (@NCGMagazine) October 12, 2018
The secrets behind this week's #BritishMasters ?? track.
⛳️: @waltonheath_gc https://t.co/oxRn0VzCTt
— National Club Golfer (@NCGMagazine) October 11, 2018
Eddie Pepperell.
RIDICULOUS Hole-in-one!A few ‘glasses’ of vino tonight @PepperellEddie? ?pic.twitter.com/IZAfJmVJJ6
— National Club Golfer (@NCGMagazine) October 11, 2018
Always time to play Dad ?.
.@JustinRose99’s daughter gives him an improvised mic ? to speak to the media after round 1. #BritishMasters pic.twitter.com/qpkfKavZfT
— National Club Golfer (@NCGMagazine) October 11, 2018
Andy Sullivan.
Drive of the deck.The shot of the year ??pic.twitter.com/zBivjjfNvn
— National Club Golfer (@NCGMagazine) October 11, 2018
What’s in Pepperell’s bag for 2019?
Honest, insightful, sarcastic and smutty – what’s not to love about Eddie Pepperell?
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