2020protour winner Marcus Armitage hopeful of elite action on European Tour

The continent’s premier circuit returns on Wednesday July 22 with the British Masters at Close House in Northumberland, with a stellar British field expected to feature.

It marks the start of six events in a row in Britain, all of which Armitage wants to play a part in.

The 32-year-old Yorkshireman who plays out of Howley Hall, regained his European Tour card through qualifying school back in November.

He made a strong start to the year, highlighted by a third-place finish in South Africa, when the coronavirus pandemic took hold and brought golf to a halt. It has left him unsure what the future holds.

“I’m hoping for the British Masters and all the events on the UK swing, but it all depends on what my category allows me to play,” said Armitage, who is 55th on the European Tour order of merit, but restricted by having the lowest category of tournament invites.

“I cannot lose my card this year, but by the same token, I’m not sure whether I can go up in the world. As someone who has just come through Qualifying School, the challenge is to improve your category in the first year by booking yourself into the tournaments like Abu Dhabi and other bigger tournaments, etc.

“I’m in a strong position so we’ll just have to wait and see.”

On winning at Oulton Hall, Armitage said: “It’s great what Chris Hanson and Adam Walker are doing with the 2020protour, giving pros a chance to play.”