Owen backing Masters bid

Greg Owen is desperate to recover from a back injury in time to defend his Daily Telegraph Damovo British Masters title next week.

“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, who won his maiden European Tour title at the Forest of Arden last year.

“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.

He travelled to Fuerteventura last week but pulled out of the Spanish Open before the first round and will see a 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 stiff competition as the tour makes its first visit to Britain in 2004.

Seven-time Order of Merit winner Colin Montgomerie and former US Open champion Retief Goosen will contest the £1.6m (€1.9m) event from May 6-9 alongside seven of the top 10 current automatic qualifiers for the Ryder Cup team.

Among those competing are Darren Clarke, Lee Westwood, Nick Faldo, José Maria Olazabal, Paul Casey and Ian Poulter.