Bolton bids to become first English Ryder Cup host in over 30 years

Bolton is bidding to become the first English host of golf's Ryder Cup in more than 30 years. Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham has announced a funding package, with a focus on infrastructure around a new golf course, to support the bid to host the event in 2035, including a new £70m M61-M6 link road. Burnham said the bid was "not pie in the sky", and there had been "promising conversations" with organisers about "bringing the tournament to a bespoke, world-class course at Hulton Park". Southport's Tommy Fleetwood, professional golfer and Ryder Cup winner, said it would be "incredible" to bring "the biggest sporting event in the world" to the north-west of England. 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 announcement came as part of the latest round of funding for projects aimed at growing Greater Manchester's economy, with Greater Manchester Combined Authority saying the region was preparing to host "the biggest ever Ryder Cup". If the Bolton bid was successful it would be the first time in more than 30 years that the event is staged in Engla