Wednesday 21 September 2016 11:45, UK
Olympic champion Justin Rose will make his first appearance on home soil since claiming Rio gold when he joins tournament host Luke Donald in the British Masters supported by Sky Sports.
Rose helped ensure golf made a memorable return to the Olympic Games after a 112-year absence when he held off a determined challenge from Open Champion Henrik Stenson to claim a two-shot win.
He will join Stenson in the European Team for the Ryder Cup at Hazeltine National next month before making an emotional homecoming appearance at The Grove, in Hertfordshire, from October 13-16.
Rose will attempt to capture his second British Masters title following his victory at Woburn Golf Club in 2002, when he triumphed in a memorable battle with another close friend, Ian Poulter.
"I think everyone could see what representing Great Britain in the Olympics meant to me, and it will be very special to come back home as an Olympic champion and play in front of the home fans at the British Masters ," said Rose.
"We all hoped that golf's inclusion in the Olympics would widen the appeal of the game and that is also the overall aim of the British Masters, so it will be great to be able to build on the momentum of Rio at The Grove.
"For me, personally, it will be another chance to play on home soil after missing the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth earlier this year through injury, and having won the title 14 years ago, I would love to have another chance to win again it in October."
More than 57,000 spectators attended last year's British Masters supported by Sky Sports at Woburn Golf Club, where Englishman Matthew Fitzpatrick claimed his maiden European Tour title.
Rose, who is an ambassador for England Golf, helped golf reach a new global audience at the Olympics, and he is now looking forward to teaming up with Donald, The European Tour and Sky Sports to do the same at the British Masters.
The tournaments aims to help boost golf participation in Britain by engaging with new and existing audiences through innovative coverage and initiatives, such as live masterclasses.
With all 20,000 free tickets for the opening round of the 2016 British Masters already snapped up as part Sky Sports Thursday, Rose will be assured of a hero's reception and golf fans can now book their ticket to see him in the second, third and fourth rounds via www.europeantourtickets.com and www.sky.com/tickets.
