His DP World Tour debut may have ended with a missed cut, but PGA professional Daniel Whitby-Smith was still left to reflect on an “incredible experience” at the Betfred British Masters hosted by Sir Nick Faldo.
Whitby-Smith, Drayton Park Golf Club’s Head Professional, just a ten-minute drive from The Belfry, secured his spot in the field at the popular tournament through the PGA Play-Offs at Aphrodite Hills Resort in Cyprus in April.
That earned the 29-year-old Englishman DP World Tour starts at both this week’s Betfred British Masters and the ISPS HANDA World Invitational presented by AVIV Clinics in Northern Ireland, held from August 17-20.
A pair of five-over-par 77s saw Whitby-Smith miss out on the weekend action but there were plenty of reasons to be upbeat about what is still to come.
"Back home after an incredible few days at the Betfred British Masters," Whitby-Smith told the DP World Tour.
"Unfortunately, it is Friday and I am recording this video and it is a missed cut. But what an incredible experience.
"It has given me a little taste of what it will be like for my next DP World Tour start at the ISPS HANDA World Invitational in Northern Ireland.
"Thank you to the DP World Tour, the PGA and particularly everyone from Drayton, family and friends. The support this week has been absolutely incredible and I have loved every minute.
"Hopefully, between now and then, tidy up the short game ahead of Northern Ireland and you never know we may be playing for the weekend. Thanks guys."
In a field that features Major Champion Justin Rose, who holds a share of the halfway lead, and a string of past Ryder Cup players, Whitby-Smith was also joined by PGA Play-Offs winner Craig Lee.
The Scotland-based professional held a DP World Tour card for five seasons between 2012 and 2016, finishing runner-up to Thomas Bjørn in the 2013 Omega European Masters.
His triumph in Cyprus has earned him four starts at European Tour group events this season, along with the European Challenge Tour’s British Challenge presented by Modest! Golf Management and the Farmfoods Scottish Challenge supported by the R&A.
After opening his campaign on the iconic Brabazon Course with a 74, the 46-year-old recorded a 78 to miss on the final two rounds.
Rose, a winner of this event in 2002 and past host in 2018, leads the way through two days at six under alongside France’s Antoine Rozner as the Englishman targets his first win on the DP World Tour since the Turkish Airlines Open in 2018.
