Professional tournament golf returns to The Belfry today for the first time in three years.

A change of sponsorship at the Quinn Direct British Masters has necessitated switching the tournament from the Forest of Arden - its home for five of the past seven years. And making the short move to The Belfry inevitably means conversation turning to past events here at the home of the English golf.

But, while Thomas Bjorn was the last individual winner of a strokeplay tournament here in 2003, it was the event he was involved in just months before as part of Europe's Ryder Cup winning team that still dominates most thoughts.

Eight of the European team who won back that delayed 2002 Ryder Cup are here for at least two of the next four days. And all of them already have the next clash with the Americans at The K Club this September very much on their mind.

Colin Montgomerie, the greatest of all the European heroes at Oakland Hills two autumns ago, has hardly had the greatest start to a season, with three missed cuts in his first six tournaments. Though he has never won an individual event here, he admits that memories of the final afternoon of the 2002 Ryder Cup are hard to erase.

"It is a nice spot here," said Monty. "And it is always nice to return somewhere you have nice memories from. I have some fantastic memories of the Ryder Cup.

"On every tee you have memories of where you were or what you were doing.

"I had good partners in 2002, Bernhard Langer for three rounds and Padraig Harrington for one and if it wasn't for a clumsy chip of mine on 18, I'd have got five wins out of five. That was the best Ryder Cup I've been involved with. And I really did enjoy it."

Already assured of his Ryder Cup place this year, Montgomerie appears to have his work cut out to win a ninth Order of Merit, having reclaimed his European crown after a six-year absence. But, having slid down to 13th, more than £400,000 behind current leader David Howell, it is not something that is causing him much lost sleep.

"Although it just hasn't clicked for me this year so far, I'm not worried and I won't be going through any swing changes," said Montgomerie.

"And, having had a lot of past success in the British Masters when it was just down the road at the Forest of Arden, I'm looking forward to challenging again."

Another key member of that 2002 team was Paul McGinley, the man who soared into the Warwickshire sky like Thunderbird Three after holing that final victory putt at the 18th.

"It's a wonderful memory that will live with me forever," he said.

"To have that opportunity and then to hole the putt in a Ryder Cup was like scoring a goal in the World Cup final. But one thing I was very conscious of was it being my epitaph and I think my career has progressed quite a lot since then."

How quickly it progresses this week may depend on how successful this passionate West Ham United fan is in achieving his target of watching his side play Liverpool in Saturday's FA Cup final at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff.

McGinley and Liverpool fans, Bjorn and Darren Clarke, all have tickets and hope to be there. But, although Saturday's schedule has been geared round the Cup Final to end at the much earlier time than usual of 2.30, McGinley insists that they have to concentrate on business here first.

"This is a massive golf tournament and the Cup Final is secondary," said McGinley, who watched West Ham win their semi-final at Villa Park.

"It was a BBC decision to switch the tee-off times made well before West Ham got the final.

"Yes, we have tickets and we're planning on going, but first we have to see how this week pans out."