Fast Master

Gareth Wright is planning a fast start in the British Masters - and he’ll need an even faster car at the end if he clinches a big Sunday finish. 

That’s because he is teeing it up a matter of hours later….in Scotland. 

The West Linton head PGA Professional is due to play the King’s Course at Gleneagles in the M&H Logistics Scottish PGA Championship. 

“Gareth’s got to be in Scotland for Monday. He has asked for a late tee off time, but it still means we have go to get from Hertfordshire all the way to Scotland in a matter of hours,” revealed Wright’s caddie Alastair Ingram. 

“I am not really sure how many miles it is. But it’s going to be tight. The hectic life of a tour pro.” 

Wright snatched a place in the British Masters line up along with Beedles Lake pro Matthew Cort thanks to success in last year’s PGA Play-Offs in Turkey. 

It handed them a place at Wentworth earlier in the year - but it is The Grove where they can shine, with a season of successes to sharpen their games. 

Wright said: “The course is in brilliant condition. Probably the best condition of any course I have played this year. The set-up is really good. 

“Myself and Matt were first and second in the play-offs which was a good result. 

“I haven’t played much in the region this year due to the exemptions that I earned, so the season has been a little strange in that sense. 

“But my game is in a really good place at the moment. I am driving the ball well, hitting my long irons nicely - just need some putts to drop.” 

Wright, who was on the winning Great Britain & Ireland team in the 2015 PGA Cup added: “It is always good to test yourself against the best in the world. 

“It is a fantastic field and being so close to London the crowds will be really good.” 

Cort’s confidence is high - helped by a three week purple patch that saw him land two PGA Europro events and £20,000 in prize money. 

He took the Dawson & Sanderson Classic and followed it with the Motocaddy Masters. 

Along with two third places plus capturing the PGA in England (Midlands) Order of Merit, he is flying - although a good finish at Luke Donald’s event would still transform his year. 

He said: “Money is not what I play the game for. But when you see what some of the top pros can earn…..it would be nice to do well. 

“I wasn’t at my best at Wentworth. It came too early in the season. But my game is in good shape now and there is a lot to play for yet.”