Wednesday 29 May 2019 09:47, UK
Tommy Fleetwood said he had enjoyed a "very, very special" week as tournament host of the Betfred British Masters at Hillside.
The Southport-born 28-year-old could only finish in a tie for eighth place after fading on the back nine in the final round, but he admitted the event had exceeded all his expectations.
"It's been cool. It's been very, very special for a number of reasons," said Fleetwood, who now heads across the Atlantic for the PGA Championship.
"I'd have loved to have played better today and given the crowd a few more cheers. But I think the number one thing I wanted to do when we spoke about the opportunity of me hosting it - I wanted to bring it here, I wanted it to be in Southport where I'm from and I know so many people here.
"I knew it would be a great event, but this has exceeded all expectations on so many levels and I'm so, so grateful to everybody involved, from grafting and working at the event - volunteering - to the people who have come and watched it, it has just been unbelievable.
"There's been a lot of families out here this week - a lot of kids - and it has been so great to see and so great to play in front of.
"Hopefully we have done our little bit in growing the game."
