Thirteen reasons Graham Walker knew he had a top talent in Danny Willett

Walker worked with the new Masters champion Willett for a decade from 2003 and, with the Sheffielder at the summit of the world amateur rankings, the pair looked at potential areas of weakness.

“When he was the No 1 amateur in the world we sat down,” recalled Walker. “I got a piece of paper and gave him a sheet and said, ‘let’s write down what we want to improve’.

“I counted eight things and thought, ‘he’s going to think he can’t play and he’s No 1 in the world’.

“He got his sheet of paper and had 13 things he wanted to work on to become the best in the world as a professional.”

The incident illustrates the level of determination and dedication that helped lead Willett to his destiny as a major champion on Sunday.

“I’m massively proud of it all, what he has achieved and what we achieved together,” said Walker.

“It’s massive for both us. We still have a great relationship and I look forward to seeing him back at The Oaks. After all we’re just two Yorkshire fellas trying to give it our best.”

Walker is one of three PGA Professionals celebrating the amazing climax to Sunday’s tournament in Georgia, each having played a part in coaching the Yorkshireman to global success.

His current coach is Mike Walker, while Peter Ball first introduced Willett to golf.

Willett’s rise to the top of the golfing world has been accompanied by first-class coaching all the way, from his first experiences during sessions as a 12-year-old with Ball at a council-run municipal in Sheffield.

“From a municipal to the Masters – he is an inspiration and shows all the kids in Sheffield what can be achieved if you put your mind to something,” said Ball, who is a PGA Advanced Fellow Professional.

“He is a great example and if it gets kids out playing, that’s all that matters.

“Danny always had a great determination and work ethic and his ability to stay calm under severe pressure over those closing holes was just incredible.”

Ball has coached thousands of children over the years and the philosophy that inspired Willett is still the one he employs today at Balborough Links and the Moor View Golf Range in Sheffield, where he coaches.

“Kids come along, have fun and play a lot of golf. If there is a secret, that’s it,” he continued. “It made me laugh when one of the commentators said Danny might be put off by the noise at Augusta – the racket we used to make on the course, he’s used to anything. That wouldn’t have put him off.”

One staple of Ball’s coaching sessions is that the loser always has to make a cup of tea and it formed the gist of his congratulatory text message to Willett after his Masters victory.

“The last time we played he hit one in the rough, so as far as I’m concerned he lost so he still owes me a cup of tea – but as he’s won the Masters I might let him off,” added Ball.

His delight was matched by Mike Walker even though he missed an early morning flight to the Spanish Open having slept through an alarm call after staying up late to watch his charge claim the green jacket by capitalising on defending champion Jordan Spieth’s quadruple bogey at 12.

“After Jordan Spieth birdied nine I went to bed because I had a 4.30am alarm call,” said Walker, “but my phone started to go nuts, with loads of texts saying, ‘you’ve got to watch this’.

“I’m absolutely over the moon. I don’t want to sound surprised because I never doubted his capability to do it, but it’s still a surprise that he’s actually won a major championship. I’m really happy for him.

“Mentally he is very strong. It is one of those things where people get into these situations and either see it as a threat or an opportunity. When he is in this situation he enjoys it.”

Walker, who is part of PGA Master Professional Pete Cowen’s team, has been coaching Willett for three years, having taken over from his previous long-term mentor, award winning namesake Graham Walker, who runs Walker’s Golf Academy at Oaks Golf Club in York.