Who is Danny Willett: Britain celebrates a first Masters champion in 20 years
Willett took full advantage of Jordan Spieth's final round collapse to win his first Major championship
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Danny Willett won his first Major championship after taking full advantage of Jordan Spieth’s troubles to triumph at The Masters, handing England its first champion at Augusta National in 20 years.
Born in Sheffield in October 1987, 28-year-old Willett rose to fame in 2007 when he won the English Amateur Championship before becoming the number one-ranked amateur in the world a year later, when he decided to turn professional.
Willett joined the European Tour in 2009 and finished a credible 58th in the inaugural Race to Dubai, breaking into the top 100 of the World Golf Rankings in 2010 after a strong showing at the BMW PGA Championship.
He would have to wait until 2012 for his first Tour victory though as he triumphed in the BMW International Open in a play-off with Marcus Fraser that went to a fourth hole, but his defining moment up until his Masters success came when he challenged for victory in last year’s Open Championship at St Andrews in which he secured a career-best Major finish of sixth after falling away to eventual winner Jordan Spieth.
With a previous best at Augusta National of tied-38th, which came last year, Willett declined the offer of a PGA Tour Membership for the 2015/16 season in order to remain on the European Tour, and his success hands Europe its first Major champion since Jose Maria Olazabal’s success in 1999.
Willett’s son was due to be born on Masters Sunday, which coincided with his wife Helen’s birthday, but Zacharia was born 12 days early and Willett was given the green light to cross the Atlantic and attend the Masters in what would becoming an historic four days.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments