Danny Willett is looking ahead way beyond his Masters defence

The Sheffielder is just four weeks away from defending his title at Augusta, which he snatched with an outstanding combination of skill and nerve on the final day in Georgia last year.

The former Yorkshire amateur champion carded a five-under-par 67 to take a win that was within defending champion Jordan Spieth’s grasp only for the American to crumble on the back nine after holding a five-shot lead.

Willett is relishing the prospect of trying to do what proved beyond Spieth by securing back-to-back Masters titles, and will draw on the positives of his performance at the Maybank Championship last month.

After three rounds in the 60s, he led by three strokes going into the final day, but Italy’s Fabrizio Zanotti accelerated past Willett and the rest of the field with a closing nine-under-par 63.

It meant Willett has not tasted victory since Augusta and he is first to admit his form has not met the standards of that afternoon in Augusta.

But the need to ensure his career does not become a hostage to his health – specifically where his back is concerned – has led to a reasoned acknowledgment that he must listen more acutely to his body’s requirements.

“I think within a career, if you can have it so you don’’t get injured very often, your career is going to be a hell of a lot more fun,” said Willett, who has at times had to endure lengthy absences from the Tour because of his back problem.

“That’s where I am, trying to make sure the injuries stay at bay, and within that your golf suffers a little bit at times.

“But it is one of those things that is for the greater good. You may not be able to play great golf for four, five or six months, but we are going to potentially be able to play good golf for the next 20 years and that is kind of where we are at, at the minute.”

Where Willett was at literally on Tuesday was Rotherham Golf Club.

The club renamed its centenary lounge ‘The Danny Willett Masters Lounge’ in honour of his achievement last April and it was fitting that it was there he recalled both last year’s triumph and looked ahead to the week that awaits in Georgia.

Rotherham may need to think about renaming another area of the club should Willett achieve what only Jack Nicklaus, Nick Faldo and Tiger Woods have done in the tournament’s history by claiming successive wins.