THE Oxfordshire Golf Club could have their prize asset, the Benson and Hedges International Open, snatched away in order to boost Europe's Ryder Cup hopes.

The Thame-based club could lose out to The Belfry, which will be hosting the Ryder Cup in 2001. Such a move would allow Europe's top golfers the opportunity to gain some top-level experience on the Midlands course.

The prestigious B&H International Open has been running for 29 years and last year's event was the most successful ever, according to organisers.

Although The Oxfordshire is contracted to host the tournament next year, nothing is being taken for granted.

Benson and Hedges spokesman Simon Slatter would not confirm that the Open would be played in Oxfordshire next May, saying: "The decision hasn't been made yet."

Losing the B&H would be a major blow for the Oxon club which was linked with a buy-out bid by the PGA earlier in the year. Last May, more than 40,000 golf fans flooded to the course to watch Colin Montgomerie collect the £133,000 winner's cheque.

The B&H Open was first held at The Oxfordshire in 1996 on the Rees Jones designed course.

Stephen Ames won that year and other winners at The Oxfordshire have been Bernhard Langer (1997), Darren Clarke (1998) and last year's winner Montgomerie.

Story date: Thursday 14 October

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