Tommy Fleetwood relishing role as British Masters tournament host
Tuesday 7 May 2019 17:34, UK
Tommy Fleetwood has set his sights on impressing both on and off the golf course when he hosts the British Masters at Hillside this week.
Fleetwood becomes the fifth Englishman in as many years to host the event since its return to the European Tour schedule, with the world No 16 following in the footsteps of Luke Donald, Ian Poulter, Justin Rose and Lee Westwood.
The Ryder Cup star has had to juggle extra responsibilities ahead of teeing it up in Southport, although he remains hopeful of building on an encouraging start to 2019 and putting in a strong performance in his hometown.
"I want to play well and I want to do really well in the event," Fleetwood told the media on Tuesday. "At the end of the day, I'm not here just to host.
"I'm loving doing that and really proud that I've got my face to a tournament, but still, I want to prepare as well as I can and hopefully put on a good show.
"I'm very lucky the people running the event have made it as simple and easy as possible. I would say we know what we're doing this week, and I know what I've got to do."
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Fleetwood is one of four players from the world's top 50 in action in Merseyside, with former world No 1 Lee Westwood and two-time major champion Martin Kaymer among the other notable names in the field.
A number of the European Tour's best players are sitting out the £3million event ahead of the PGA Championship next week, with Fleetwood hoping that playing the week before the second major of the year could be beneficial for Bethpage.
"I think first and foremost, I'm happy to keep the tournament on the schedule," Fleetwood added. "I think that was the most important thing.
"I was happy to be part of that, at whatever time that is. I get an extra week in my own bed and I'm not ever going to complain about that.
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"I normally have a week off before the majors and I haven't won one yet so who knows, maybe playing the British Masters the week before might be the turning point."
Watch the British Masters throughout the week live on Sky Sports. Live coverage begins with the Hero Masterclass on Wednesday from 3pm on Sky Sports Golf.
