It was a case of swapping hockey sticks for putters this afternoon as members of Great Britain’s gold medal winning women’s hockey team tested their skills at The Grove ahead of the ISPS Handa Pressure Putt Showdown.
Returning to the European Tour with a new, improved format at the British Masters supported by Sky Sports, hockey players Hollie Webb, Laura Unsworth, Lily Owsley and Kirsty Mackay swapped tips with English golfers Matt Southgate and Jamie Donaldson.
Webb, who scored the match winning penalty to secure gold for Great Britain, sparked jubilant scenes amongst her teammates in Rio and is hoping to replicate her winning form under pressure when she partners defending British Masters champion Matthew Fitzpatrick.
“It was a pretty cool moment,” Webb said, speaking of the penalty shootout for gold. “We didn’t know who was taking the penalties or what order it would be, so when it came to me and I knew what the situation was, I just tried to block everything out and just do my job.
“I’m competing in the Pressure Putt Showdown this afternoon, which is a little bit scary so I’m hoping they will let me use my hockey stick which might be a bit easier for me!”
Webb, who limits her golfing experience to playing as a child until taking up hockey full time, was excited to be involved in the showdown and back on the golf greens.
It’s important for any sport to have youngsters, and in fact people of all ages playing sport and golf is a sport that is attractive to all ages, both genders, where everyone can play together, so it’s accessible for all and friendly, which means the atmosphere is really great.
The Grove’s putting green will be transformed into a lively arena as the four teams, consisting of a European Tour professional and high-profile celebrity, take on each other in the test of skill and nerve.
The pairing of Fitzpatrick and Webb, will be joined by former Chelsea footballer Gianfranco Zola and snooker legend Stephen Hendry, who will partner Søren Kjeldsen and Joost Luiten respectively, while cricketer Kevin Pietersen pairs up with Chris Wood.
Sky Sports will broadcast the live action from 3.00pm, with Kirsty Gallacher and DJ Spoony introducing the new format and a live DJ and spectator interaction adding to the spectacle.
