The Masters: How Danny Willett reached for the sky before winning in Augusta
Here are seven fascinating facts about the 28-year-old from Sheffield.
1: Willett came close to not even playing in the tournament as his wife’s due date for their first child was on Sunday but their son, Zachariah James, was born via C-section a week ahead of the tournament.
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Hide Ad2: Before his debut in the WGC-Cadillac Championship at Doral’s ‘Blue Monster’ course in March, Willett “played” the course on a simulator at Doncaster Golf Range. He went on to finish joint 12th in the prestigious tournament.
3: His father is a vicar.
4: In the first round of the Amateur Championship in 2007, Willett beat a certain Rory McIlroy 2&1, having been five up after six holes.
5: His wife Nicole caddied for Willett in the par-3 contest on the eve of his debut in last year’s Masters. Willett finished joint 38th in the tournament proper at Augusta National.
6: In Dubai in January last year, Willett, his wife and caddie took part in a charity skydive to raise funds for the British Heart Foundation.
7: After leaving school at 16, Willett quit a local college course after a month – “I hated it” he says – before attending Jacksonville State in Alabama for two years.