Tour pro expresses disappointment in Fleetwood, Hatton and Fitzpatrick

Eddie Pepperell was upset some of England's biggest golf stars such as Tommy Fleetwood, Tyrrell Hatton and Matthew Fitzpatrick skipped the British Masters.

Ben Smith

30 Jun 2023

Tour pro expresses disappointment in Fleetwood, Hatton and Fitzpatrick

Eddie Pepperell expressed disappointment the likes of Tyrrell Hatton, Matthew Fitzpatrick and Tommy Fleetwood don't want to play the British Masters.

The highest ranked player in the field this week is Justin Rose.

Rose made a solid start to the tournament which is being played at The Belfry and hosted by golf legend Sir Nick Faldo.

England's Rose held the 36-hole lead and Pepperell made the cut after two consecutive rounds of level par 72.

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Pepperell, who has won the British Masters at Walton Heath in 2018, was disappointed some of England's biggest stars are absent from the tournament.

He discussed this on The Chipping Forecast with golf journalist Iain Carter and Sky Sports commentator Andrew Coltart.

Pepperell, who last week revealed Jimmy Walker was the most miserable player he's teed it up with, told the podcast:

"I think, for me, the biggest disappointment here is that we don't have the Matt Fitzpatricks, the Tyrrell Hattons and the Tommy Fleetwoods of the world coming back home to play the British Masters.

"Well, the fact that they actually don't want to is the disappointment I have, and I think that they should honestly reconsider their obligation, because I actually think it's an obligation to come home and support your home tournament."

Pepperell continued:

"We're all probably a bit romantic here talking about this, but the reality is that for each and every individual at the top of any sport now, but particularly golf, this is just seen entirely as a business decision, quote unquote."

Then Pepperell went in with a bit more conviction:

"The nonsense we've seen come out of LIV players mouths in the last 12 months, it's identical.

"There is no consideration for the systems that are in place or the institutions that have been put in place and the history behind them, and what the individuals that have participated in that over the years, the impact they've had.

"But we're in a different world and I think that it's ultimately very sad, and we will lose the fans because of it."

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