Albert on PGA Cup watch

PGA Cup captain Albert Mackenzie will be both host and eagle-eyed observer at next week’s PGA Play-Offs at his Saunton Golf Club in Devon.

The Scot captains Great Britain & Ireland against the United States at Foxhills Club & Resort next September and nearly a third of his 10-man team will come from the 24-man field contesting the Play-Offs.

The top three (eligible) finishers qualify automatically for the team and GB&I’s defence of the Llandudno Trophy which they famously won in California last year.

With Mackenzie also having a captain’s pick it promises to be an invaluable week for the 55 year old as he watches potential candidates tackle the famed East Course links where he has been head pro since 1998.

“I will definitely be treading the fairways, it is great to get the chance to look at all the players,” said Mackenzie.

“With the high quality of the 24 players we have, many of them will no doubt find their way on to the captain’s pick list if they don’t qualify automatically for the team.

“The Play-Offs is a great opportunity to watch what they do best and I’m really excited about seeing how they meet the challenge of Saunton.”

The PGA Play-Offs bring together the leading three players from each of the seven regions plus the winner and runner up in the Titleist & FootJoy PGA Professional Championship and the Galvin Green PGA Assistants Champion.

In addition to PGA Cup qualification the top ten finishers gain entry to next year’s BMW PGA Championship plus the leading two secure a spot in the British Masters.