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Rose, best friend Poulter primed for British Masters
Meriden, June 05: Last year`s winner Justin Rose, and this year`s favourite Darren Clarke, have been limbering up for the start of this week`s British Masters tournament in central England.
Meriden, June 05: Last year's winner Justin Rose, and this year's favourite Darren Clarke, have been limbering up for the start of this week's British Masters tournament in central England.
Rose and Clarke were among those taking part in a pro-am event at the Forest of Arden course at Meriden on Wednesday (June 4).
Rose was one of many to say that the course was in peak condition. But he was a little critical of his own performance saying: "My iron play wasn't quite as good as I felt it should be so I will be going to the range this afternoon to do a little bit of that as well as some chipping and putting where, as we all know, this is where the scoring is done".
Rose, who won at Woburn in 2002 after a battle royal with his best friend and last week's Welsh Open winner, Ian Poulter.
Rose said on Wednesday he would be "playing on memories" of that thrilling success against fellow-Englishman Poulter. He is already thinking ahead, though, seriously rating his chances at the British Open at Sandwich, England in July, and before that concentrating on the U.S. Open in Olympia Fields next week.
The Forest of Arden course is tough enough, said Rose, to offer serious practice for the year's second major in Illinois.
The 22-year-old, whose 2002 British Masters win was one of four worldwide and two on the European Tour last year, wants to dedicate a victory to the memory of his late father and coach Ken, who died last autumn.
Clarke spends much of his time flitting from top European and U.S. venues, but no course suits him better than the central England layout.
He has captured two English Opens there and won the now-defunct title for the third time in all this time last year at the venue before flying off for a U.S. Open bid.
"I enjoy the golf course, I like it. I have played well here before and I hope I can do it again this week," said Clarke on the eve of the European Tour event.
When the 34-year-old Ulsterman took his title last year, though, he failed to carry that kind of form into the second major of the year and finished tied 24th.
Of the three fancied players, Poulter is highest-ranked on the European money-list at 14th, with Clarke 15th and Rose 20th. Another player who begins with short odds is the Volvo PGA Championship winner Ignacio Garrido of Spain.
Others looking for the title include Lee Westwood, whose play is improving after many problems in the last year, and Paul McGinley.
Competing in the pro-am game on Wednesday was soccer goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel, who played at Manchester City on a short contract after a long career at Manchester United. He retired last year, but now veteran Arsenal, and England, goalkeeper David Seaman is to follow his example and join Manchester City on a year's contract as his career nears its end.
Schmeichel commented: "It's really good for both parties. For David Seaman, he obviously wants another year of Premier League football and I think they are a great team to come and play for, and I think for City they need a great goalkeeper and I think they have got the best around, so I think it's a good deal for everyone."
Seven-times European number one Colin Montgomerie is also competing at Forest of Arden after a late entry, but Ryder Cup Dane Thomas Bjorn was a late withdrawal after cutting his hand with a knife. The injury required one stitch.
Bjorn's management, however, said his U.S. Open appearance next week was not in doubt and he would have the stitch taken out of his hand before flying to America at the weekend.
Bureau Report
The Forest of Arden course is tough enough, said Rose, to offer serious practice for the year's second major in Illinois.
The 22-year-old, whose 2002 British Masters win was one of four worldwide and two on the European Tour last year, wants to dedicate a victory to the memory of his late father and coach Ken, who died last autumn.
Clarke spends much of his time flitting from top European and U.S. venues, but no course suits him better than the central England layout.
He has captured two English Opens there and won the now-defunct title for the third time in all this time last year at the venue before flying off for a U.S. Open bid.
"I enjoy the golf course, I like it. I have played well here before and I hope I can do it again this week," said Clarke on the eve of the European Tour event.
When the 34-year-old Ulsterman took his title last year, though, he failed to carry that kind of form into the second major of the year and finished tied 24th.
Of the three fancied players, Poulter is highest-ranked on the European money-list at 14th, with Clarke 15th and Rose 20th. Another player who begins with short odds is the Volvo PGA Championship winner Ignacio Garrido of Spain.
Others looking for the title include Lee Westwood, whose play is improving after many problems in the last year, and Paul McGinley.
Competing in the pro-am game on Wednesday was soccer goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel, who played at Manchester City on a short contract after a long career at Manchester United. He retired last year, but now veteran Arsenal, and England, goalkeeper David Seaman is to follow his example and join Manchester City on a year's contract as his career nears its end.
Schmeichel commented: "It's really good for both parties. For David Seaman, he obviously wants another year of Premier League football and I think they are a great team to come and play for, and I think for City they need a great goalkeeper and I think they have got the best around, so I think it's a good deal for everyone."
Seven-times European number one Colin Montgomerie is also competing at Forest of Arden after a late entry, but Ryder Cup Dane Thomas Bjorn was a late withdrawal after cutting his hand with a knife. The injury required one stitch.
Bjorn's management, however, said his U.S. Open appearance next week was not in doubt and he would have the stitch taken out of his hand before flying to America at the weekend.
Bureau Report