After its successful inaugural visit to The Marquess Course 12 months ago, the Victor Chandler British Masters returns to the newest venue at Woburn Golf and Country Club this week.
Last year Thomas Levet entered the record books, becoming the first Frenchman to win on British soil since Arnaud Massy won the Open Championship at Royal Liverpool in 1907, when he triumphed in a memorable four man play-off, the biggest play-off on The European Tour since the 1993 Honda Open in Hamburg.
Tied with David Howell, Mathias Grönberg and Robert Karlsson at the end of regulation play, the 33 year old from Paris triumphed at the third extra hole after an exquisite tee shot at the 176 yard 17th ended ten feet behind the hole from where he rolled in his winning birdie effort.
The putt sparked memorable celebrations from the Frenchman as he ran round the perimeter of the green in an impromptu lap of honour, high-fiving with the delighted spectators on his way. Levet will return this year, hoping to become the first player since Greg Norman 20 years ago to successfully defend.
Of the men who nearly made it last year, Karlsson will return in an attempt to go one better but Howell and Grönberg will miss out, the Swede staying at home with wife Tara and their new baby, while the Englishman is still in latter stages of recuperation after his arm injury.
The Marquess Course was widely praised on its European Tour debut last year. Designed by Peter Alliss, Clive Clark, European Golf Design (Ross McMurray) and Alex Hay, the course is in magnificent condition and will provide a hard but fair test.
At 7214 yards, it lies within 200 acres of mixed woodlands, overlapping the county boundaries of Bedfordshire and Buckinghamshire. Lofty pine, beech, spruce, sweet chestnut and oak trees tower above the holes making it one of the most picturesque spots in the country.
