“The British Masters is such a big event this year and I really want a shot at defending my title, especially given the strength of the field, said Owen. “I hope to play even if I have to crawl around the course”.

The 32-year-old from Mansfield was injured in a training session last week and had an MRI scan on Friday. Owen is to see a leading specialist on Wednesday to assess possible damage to a disc in his back.

If Owen does make it to the first tee he is sure to face very stiff competition with a top class player field now confirmed for the first European Tour event on British soil this season. Seven-time Volvo Order of Merit winner Colin Montgomerie along with two-time Volvo Order of Merit winner and 2001 US Open Champion Retief Goosen are the latest stars in the tournament, which returns to the Marriott Forest of Arden from May 6-9.

The Daily Telegraph Damovo British Masters, that will showcase players boasting an outstanding 12 Major Championships between them, can also confirm seven of the top ten players in the qualifying list for The European Ryder Cup Team and ten of the top twelve players from the Volvo Order of Merit.

Sweden’s Pierre Fulke, Spain’s Ignacio Garrido, Anders Hansen of Denmark, Miguel Angel Jiménez of Spain, Scotland’s Paul Lawrie, and Welshmen Phillip Price and Ian Woosnam, have joined the top names previously confirmed which include the English quartet of Paul Casey, Nick Faldo, Ian Poulter and Lee Westwood and Northern Ireland’s Darren Clarke and José Maria Olazábal of Spain.

Andrew “Chubby” Chandler, Managing Director of tournament promoters ISM commented: “Obviously we hope Greg recovers in time to have a chance to defend his title. We have a very strong player field for The Daily Telegraph Damovo British Masters this year – there’s a combination of great names in recent European golf alongside some of the stars of the future. All in all, we’re set for a highly competitive and entertaining week’s golf.”

 


Courtesy of www.europeantour.com