'Expectations were low, but I've had a reset': Danny Willett makes welcome return to form at Genesis Scottish Open

Sheffield’s 2016 Masters champion has been blighted by injuries in recent years and hasn’t won since claiming the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship up the coast at St Andrews five years ago.

He has also not had much luck at the Renaissance Club, last making the cut at the Scottish Open site in 2018, but he took advantage of cross-winds and pin positions to counter the big hitters and get himself onto the first page of the leaderboard.

“Two good days work,” said the 38-year-old, who just a week ago had to pull out of the BMW International Open in Munich as a precaution.

“Two very different days, wind switches. I put myself in play a lot, which you need to be in these fairways to put your spin on it to hold up against the crosswinds, and holed a couple of putts.

“The first few years we came here, the weather's always been pretty good, and the rough has always been down. So the lads who hit it a long way, they take most of the bunkers out of play, smash it over corners, and it's not what I can do.

“So when the rough is up and slightly different crosswinds, it’s forcing people to play it differently.”

Last week’s withdrawal from the BMW allowed him chance to reset as he chases a good finish in North Berwick and also a late spot into next week’s Open.

“I was in pain. I didn't want to make it worse,” he said. “Went home and had a really nice weekend. Saw the physios, saw the coaches, had a sit-down, had a little bit of a rethink, reset. Got to see the kids. Nice to spend the day with them Monday, and travel up here Tuesday morning.

“Expectations were low, but I put a good weekend of work in at home so I could come here and just try and play.”