Ryder Cup-winning Captain Thomas Bjørn and European team member Thorbjørn Olesen have been confirmed as the final names added to the field for the action-packed Hero Challenge, taking place in London’s Canary Wharf on Tuesday October 9.
The thrilling one-hole shootout will act as the prelude to the Sky Sports British Masters, which takes place at Walton Heath Golf Club and is hosted by World Number Two Justin Rose, who will also headline the Hero Challenge in the bustling financial district in the heart of London.
Joining Bjørn, Olesen and Rose in Canary Wharf will be English duo Andrew ‘Beef’ Johnston and Matt Wallace, as well as Irish star Paul Dunne as the event returns for the first time since July, when Matt Kuchar triumphed in the historic setting of Edinburgh Castle on the eve of the Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Open.
Bjørn, who led Team Europe to a stunning 17½ - 10½ victory at Le Golf National last week, will return to the golf course in a playing capacity for the Sky Sports British Masters and is looking forward to his first taste of the Hero Challenge.
“The last week has been an incredible one, and a busy one, after The Ryder Cup but I’ve enjoyed every minute of it,” said Bjørn. “I’m now looking forward to playing again and the Hero Challenge will be a nice way to ease into the week and have some fun before getting back to the business of competing at the Sky Sports British Masters.
“The atmosphere at Le Golf National was like nothing I’d ever experienced before and you could see how the players reacted to it. I’m sure some of that enthusiasm and excitement will feed into the Hero Challenge atmosphere, especially being in such an iconic location, and I hope that we’ll be able to put on a show for the fans who attend.”
Olesen contributed one point to Team Europe’s winning tally following his 5&4 Sunday Singles victory over Jordan Spieth, a feeling which he hopes to build on in the remaining weeks of the season.
“I can’t really put into words what it was like to be part of that Ryder Cup team, it was incredible,” the 28-year-old said. “The feeling you get after winning is unbelievable and I just want to enjoy my golf for the rest of the year now, starting with what will be a fun night at the Hero Challenge.
“I’ve seen previous editions but it’s something I’ve never really done before, so it will be cool to give it a go alongside the guys.”
This will be the third successive season in which the British Masters will be preceded by the Hero Challenge, the innovative event having made its debut in 2016 at The Grove, won by Alex Levy, before 2017 tournament host Lee Westwood emerged victorious at Close House last year.
With the support of Hero MotoCorp Ltd – the world’s largest manufacturer of motorcycles and scooters – a further three editions were played in 2017, at the Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Open, the British Masters and the DP World Tour Championship, Dubai, won by American Patrick Reed, Englishman Lee Westwood and China’s Haotong Li respectively.
The Hero Challenge will take place on the evening of Tuesday October 9 and will be shown live across the European Tour’s platforms. Tickets to be there in person are availableHERE.
