Frilford Heath’s Eddie Pepperell says he still has not hit the heights so far this season that produced two wins in 2018. Picture by GETTY IMAGES

EDDIE Pepperell will defend a European Tour title for the first time in his career as he tees it up at the Betfred British Masters at Hillside Golf Club tomorrow (Thursday).

The Englishman won last year’s British Masters at Walton Heath, his second title of the 2018 season, and has arrived at Hillside in a confident mood, hoping to emulate his achievement last year.

Pepperell, who hails from Abingdon and grew up playing golf at Drayton Park, said: “It’s a shame I missed Qatar, but certainly being back in England is nice, and the first time playing Hillside, as well.

“I played nine yesterday on the back nine, and good to see it for the first time.

“Yeah, good draw, as well, playing with Thomas (Fleetwood), and Stevie (Gallacher), of course,” said the Frilford Heath member.

“I’m curious to see how I feel tomorrow. I’m expecting to feel quite relaxed, but I might not.

“It certainly felt a bit strange coming back this week having not been in Europe for ages, and just being in a completely different environment and getting used to that, when you come back here, it just feels quite strange.

“There may be a bit of getting used to that tomorrow, but I feel quite relaxed, and as always — well, I try to always focus very hard on my game, so that’s occupying my mind.

“My game certainly feels closer than it did on the Wednesday of British Masters last year. That was terrible that day.

Fleetwood to host Betfred British Masters

“The way things can change, I never like to feel too confident on a Wednesday because it doesn’t last.

“I don’t know what to expect from my game. I know there’s a bit of weakness at the moment in there somewhere.

“But I feel like around this course with the conditions, I can skirt my way around that and manage to shoot four good scores.

“This week I’m quietly confident I guess you could say, but I don’t feel like I’ve played well at all this year.

“I haven’t swung the club as well as I have last year and the year before that,” said Pepperell.

“So to have done what I’ve been able to do so far over the span of a year, I’ve made the most of it, and that’s a positive.

“So if I can find some form swinging like that, then I’m pretty confident I’ll come out this year better than last. Yeah, quiet optimism.”

Pepperell will tee it up in the first and second rounds alongside this year’s tournament host Tommy Fleetwood.

The 28-year-old, who grew up in Southport, which will host the 2019 British Betfred Maseters, began his week with victory in the first Hero Challenge of the season at Princes Dock in Liverpool on Tuesday night.

The pair will be joined by Scotland’s 2019 Hero Indian Open winner Stephen Gallacher.

Lee Westwood set for his 18th start

MAKING his 18th appearance in the British Masters is former World No. 1 Lee Westwood, who hosted the tournament at Close House, in 2017.

After a four-year absence from the winner’s circle, Westwood won his 24^th European Tour title at the Nedbank Golf Challenge, in November.

The Nottinghamshire ace, who now lives in Newcastle arrives at Hillside hoping to add a second British Masters crown to his trophy cabinet.

The “Worksop Wonder” won the event in 2007 at The Belfry, and the 46-year-old has previous form at Hillside, winning The Pines Trophy at the Lancashire links, as an amateur in 1990.

Westwood said: “I’m coming back to somewhere that I’ve played well in the past and a golf course that I enjoy playing and a tournament I enjoy playing.

“So it’s always nice to play in England in front of the English and British fans,” said the veteran of 10 Ryder Cups.

“There’s been some great winners here in the past. Seve is a past winner and Greg Norman a past winner, so two heroes of mine growing up, and players I’ve wanted to emulate.

“I’ve been a host a couple years ago. I saw the other side of it, how a tournament is run and what goes into it.

“I’ve got a great appreciation for what goes into running the British Masters and others, and now I get to play in the British Masters,” added Westwood.

“It’s always been played on some great venues and always attracts a great field and great fans that really seem to enjoy coming to this tournament and supporting it.”

•For live scoring from the first round of the Betfred British Masters click here.

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Betfred British Masters host Tommy Fleetwood will welcome defending champion Eddie Pepperell (right) to Hillside Golf Club, in his hometown of Southport, in May. Picture by GETTY IMAGES

FRILFORD Heath’s Eddie Pepperell is targeting a successful defence of his title in the Betfred British Masters after confirming he will join his friend, tournament host Tommy Fleetwood, in the field at Hillside Golf Club, from May 9-12.

Pepperell is just three days younger than Fleetwood and the pair grew up playing junior and amateur golf together, before latterly going on to enjoy multiple victories on the European Tour.

Both players are now ranked inside the top 40 on the Official World Golf Ranking – Fleetwood is 12^th and Pepperell 36^th – and are increasingly popular personalities among fans.

Pepperell claimed the biggest victory of his career to date in the British Masters at Walton Heath, in October, just two weeks after Fleetwood made a memorable Ryder Cup debut in Paris, winning four points alongside Francesco Molinari against the United States.

The pair were part of a four-way tie for the lead after the first round at Walton Heath, after matching rounds of 67.

But it was Pepperell who went on to win wire-to-wire, finishing two shots clear of Sweden’s Alexander Björk – courtesy of subsequent rounds of 69, 71 and 72, with Fleetwood eventually sharing ninth place.

It was Pepperell’s second victory of 2018 following the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters and he said he discovered some newfound self-belief as a result.

Eddie revealed: “It was nice leading all week, feeling very comfortable in that position and actually expecting myself to win from Thursday.

“I definitely unlocked some confidence that week which I hadn’t felt before. I’m now looking forward to going to Hillside this year and trying to upset the Northerners.

“I’ve grown up with Tommy and the fact he’s hosting the event is great for him and I’m excited to be part of it for him and the Tour. I want to play well, put on a good show and get in amongst it.”

Fleetwood is following in the footsteps of previous hosts Ian Poulter (2015), Luke Donald (2016), Lee Westwood (2017) and most recently Justin Rose (2018) who have all played an important part in the success of the tournament following its reintroduction to the European Tour schedule.

Ryder Cup star Fleetwood grew up in the coastal town of Southport where Hillside Golf Club is located – just a stone’s throw from Royal Birkdale, which hosted the 2017 Open – and he is looking forward to welcoming his friend Pepperell to the area.

Tommy said: “He’s defending champion and it was his second win last year and I think it was his most impressive performance to date.

“It’s great to have him at Hillside. To be named British Masters champion is a very special title to have and he’s held the role brilliantly. We’re very lucky to watch him play again.”

Tickets to the 2019 Betfred British Masters hosted by Tommy Fleetwood at Hillside Golf Club from May 9-12 are available by clicking here

A range of hospitality packages are also available. Click here for more details.

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