Lee Westwood to take over as British Masters host in 2020

Lee Westwood will become the first player to host the British Masters twice when the tournament returns to Close House, in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, in 2020.

The event will run from July 30 to August 2, 2020, at Close House, which last hosted the British Masters in 2017 when Ireland’s Paul Dunne edged out Rory McIlroy for the title.

At the time, it was the first European Tour tournament to visit north-east England in 15 years.

“I’m delighted to announce that the Betfred British Masters is once again going to be at Close House,” said Westwood.

“Hopefully we will get another great field and I am sure it will be a great spectacle like it was a couple of years ago. The crowds in the north-east love their sport and their big events, and Close House will be at its best again.”

Westwood will take over from this year’s host Tommy Fleetwood, who had nothing but good things to say about the experience.

“It’s been cool. It’s been very, very special for a number of reasons,” he said.

“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.”

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