Five things you need to know as the European Tour returns to Hanbury Manor for the inaugural English Championship
Hanbury Manor’s Return
The UK Swing makes its way to Hanbury Manor Marriott Hotel & Country Club for the European Tour’s third successive English event in a row, marking the return to the Hertfordshire venue for the first time this century.
Hanbury Manor, designed by Harry Vardon and later redesigned by Jack Nicklaus in 1991, previously hosted the English Open on three occasions from 1997-1999.
Since then, the course has also hosted the Sinclair Invitational on the Staysure Tour for four successive seasons between 2016-2019. Barry Lane set the course record, a 12 under par 60, during his victory here in 2017
Ones to watch: Horsfield and Højgaard
Sam Horsfield and Rasmus Højgaard were paired together in the final group of the Hero Open, and the two exceptionally talented youngsters remain the only players to have recorded top tens inthe first two UK Swing events.
Horsfield finished tied for tenth at the Betfred British Masters before capturing his maiden European Tour title at the Forest of Arden Marriot Hotel and Country Club, while Højgaard followed his runner-up finish at the Betfred British Masters with a tie for sixth. It was the young Dane’s fourth top 10 of the season, which includes his maiden win at the AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open.
Westwood returns
Lee Westwood has amassed 25 European Tour titles through his career, and this week returns to the site of his fourth victory, having claimed the English Open at Hanbury Manor in 1998.
The former World Number One, who hosted the Betfred British Masters at Close House two weeks ago, won the event by two strokes.
He is joined in the field by Miguel Ángel Jiménez, Soren Kjeldsen, Michael Campbell and David Howell, who all played at Hanbury Manor in at least one edition of the English Open.
Points race continues
Sam Horsfield’s victory at the Hero Open vaulted him to the top of the mini Order of Merit, which runs through each of the six UK events.
Due to the cancellation of U.S. Open Qualifying there is an added incentive to play well, as the top ten aggregate points earners from the first five events (ending at the Wales Open), will earn an exemption in to the second Major Championship of the year at Winged Foot next month.
Horsfield tops the list after two events, with first week winner Renato Paratore in second, followed by Rasmus Hojgaard, Thomas Detry, Justin Harding, Alexander Björk, Robert Rock, Chris Paisley, Oliver Farr and Andy Sullivan.
As it currently stands, no player currently inside the top 10 holds an exemption.
Golf for Good
The European Tour's Golf for Good initiative continues this week, with the European Tour donating £50,000 to the host venue Hanbury Manor, to be distributed to charities of their choice including local causes.
The Heroes Initiative will once again reward a local hero, with prizes on offer for one nominated front-line worker during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Do you know a golf fan who deserves to be rewarded for their positive impact on the community? If you would like to nominate someone during the UK Swing, please visit et.golf/nominate-a-hero
