Matthew Baldwin was delighted to raise £50,000 for Prostate Cancer UK as he made his first hole-in-one on the DP World Tour in the third round at the Betfred British Masters hosted by Sir Nick Faldo.
The 37-year-old Englishman holed his tee-shot with a five iron from 198 yards at the par three 14th, the same hole that Sir Nick Faldo recorded an ace during the 1993 Ryder Cup.
As part of fundraising efforts to support leading men’s health charity Prostate Cancer UK, tournament title partner Betfred pledged their support by offering to donate £50,000 if a hole-in-one was made on the iconic hole.
And that eventuality occurred on Saturday after a moment of brilliance from Baldwin, who went on to sign for a two-under-par 70 after mixing four birdies with four bogeys as well as his ace.
“It’s an incredible feeling,” said Baldwin. “It’s quite close to me, my fiancée Claire, her dad has had prostate cancer and is recovering from it, and my best friend’s dad, Phil, who also sponsors me, he’s recovering from prostate cancer at the moment.
"So it’s a nice touch to him and also everyone else who suffers from it."
Baldwin, who graduated from the European Challenge Tour at the end of last season, has already enjoyed a memorable campaign so far, winning his first DP World Tour title at the SDC Championship in South Africa.
While he has previously recorded an ace at Qualifying School earlier his career, this hole-in-one is one that he will forever remember.
“It is a bit surreal at the moment but to get my first hole in one on Tour and the money be donated to Prostate Cancer UK is an unbelievable feeling," he added.
“As soon as it landed I knew it was going to be close but I never expected it to go in.
“I will remember this one all my life I think.”
For a third consecutive year, Prostate Cancer UK is the Official Charity Partner of the popular tournament, with six-time Major champion Faldo now pledging his support, following on from Prostate Cancer UK ambassador Danny Willett, who hosted the event in 2021 and 2022.
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men, affecting one in eight. Men over 50, black men and men with a family history of the disease are at increased risk.
Prostate Cancer UK Chief Executive Laura Kerby said: “Prostate Cancer UK has a simple ambition: to save and enrich the lives of men with prostate cancer.
“That’s why we’re delighted Betfred have chosen to support us with their innovative fundraising efforts during this week’s Betfred British Masters hosted by Sir Nick Faldo at the Belfry - including this incredible hole-in-one donation.
“We’ve gone very close over the past two days, but Matt Baldwin’s brilliant ace is fantastic news for us.
“It’s brilliant to work alongside the DP World Tour as charity partners of the tournament for a third time, and we’re proud to take centre stage in the event village and around the course as golf fans and players find out more about the most common cancer in men – and raise funds to help beat it.
“Those crucial funds raised will help us to fund more lifesaving research to diagnose men sooner and improve the lives of men affected by prostate cancer.
“Massive congratulations to Matt and a huge thanks from everyone at Prostate Cancer UK to him and Betfred for this life-changing contribution.”
Betfred Boss Fred Done said: “I’m absolutely delighted to pay out £50,000 to Prostate Cancer UK. Congratulations to Matt Baldwin on a fantastic shot on the 14th hole.”
Sir Nick Faldo, host of this year’s Betfred British Masters, said: “A huge congratulations to Matt on his hole-in-one. I’m delighted to see £50,000 donated to the tournament’s Official Charity Partner Prostate Cancer UK and it’s equally special to see him make a hole-in-one on the same hole as I did during the Ryder Cup 30 years ago.”
