With the exception of host Ian Poulter, the 2015 British Masters could not have had a more fitting champion than 21yr old Englishman Matthew Fitzpatrick.   

Seven months ago together with the European Tour we announced plans to put this iconic event back on to the schedule of regular European Tour competition.  The British Masters represented our next step as the home of televised golf and an even greater commitment to the sport.  As a supporting partner, our mantra has been to engage and inspire new and existing golf fans through our coverage, promotion and staging of the event. I don’t think any of us envisaged what a high success it would be.

Almost 60,000 fans, including 15,000 of our subscribers on ‘Sky Sports Thursday’, came through the gates at Woburn making it one the highest attended events on the Tour this year.  Many took the opportunity to come and see live golf for the first time and as well as watching the thrilling competition around the course they also enjoyed the activity off it including the autograph zone on the edge of the players’ practice green, and the replica 18th green and Sky Sports News studio in the Sky Dome which had over 12,000 visitors over the week.

On air our coverage was bursting with fresh ideas.  Feedback to the innovations we introduced in to our coverage used such as mic-ing up Nick Dougherty, ProGreens, Trackman and robot-cam (we’ll come up with a better name for this I promise!) has been very positive and already broadcasters from around the world have been in touch.  Our live masterclasses which featured the likes of Poulter, Donald, Harrington and Westwood imparting their wisdom and experience were also very popular.  All of this resulted in the highest viewing figures this season for our European Tour coverage as Fitzpatrick, Lowry, Donald and Aphibarnrat battled out the final round in the glorious Autumn weather.

Viewers also responded to the abundance of digital content made available.  An increase of 47% in unique users over those for normal European Tour event accessed content across our digital outlets such as Ian Poulter’s interviews on Soccer AM and Game Changers masterclass.  

I spent Thursday evening in the company of the golf press who were impressed by the commitment and vision Sky Sports has for golf and based on the British Masters there’s already excitement and anticipation for our first Open at Royal Troon in 2016, which will be our 25th year as a broadcaster of live golf.   

I’d like to thank everyone who played a part in the overwhelming success in the return of this event.