Southport golf star Tommy Fleetwood has backed an ambitious bid to bring the Ryder Cup to the North West.
The bid could see Bolton become the first English host of the Ryder Cup in over two decades at a new purpose built venue at Hulton Park.
And world number three Fleetwood expressed excitement at the prospect of bringing one of the most coveted tournaments in golf back to the region.
He said: “As a golfer, a Ryder Cup being in England, first and foremost, would be something special.
“On top of that, to do it in the north-west of England, where I’m from, would be amazing.”
Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham announced a funding package which will support the bid to host the competition in 2035.
The package places focus on infrastructure around a new golf course, including plans to build a new £70m M61-M6 link road.
Burnham said: “We’re deadly serious about it.
“We believe we can land [the Ryder Cup] and now it’s a case of putting in a firm bid next month and hopefully a decision soon.”
The Ryder Cup takes centre stage every two year.
It sees 24 of the most elite players from Europe and the United States go head-to-head in match play format.
The Belfry, in Warwickshire, was the last English host of the competition in 2002.
This event saw Sam Torrance’s European team triumph on home soil.
If the Bolton bid is successful, the tournament would be played at a course in England for the first time in over two decades.
(Featured image under Alamy licence)
