Masters 2016: Danny Willett - Augusta win was crazy

Danny Willett felt fate played a part in him becoming Masters champion after a remarkable final round at Augusta.

Willett's wife Nicole had been due to give birth on Sunday, but Zachariah James Willett arrived 12 days early on 30 March to allow him to play.

"My wife was born 28 years ago on Monday and my son came early," said Willett, who won by three shots after Jordan Spieth's dramatic capitulation.

"You talk about fate and everything that comes with it. It's been crazy."

The 28-year-old took advantage of defending champion Spieth dropping six shots in three holes to win his first major on five under.

Masters 2016: Champion Danny Willett on his 'crazy, crazy day'

He became the first European winner since Spaniard Jose Maria Olazabal in 1999, and the fourth British champion after Nick Faldo (1989, 1990, 1996), Sandy Lyle (1988) and Ian Woosnam (1991).

American Spieth, who was seeking back-to-back Green Jackets, finished tied for second alongside Willett's compatriot and playing partner Lee Westwood on two under.

"On this rare occasion I'm nearly speechless," added Willett, who moves up to ninth in the world rankings. "It's been a fantastic week on and off the golf course.

"It's been one of those crazy weeks where things seem to go your way. The 80th Masters is always going to be special and dear to my heart.

"People were saying 'Try to bring the Green Jacket home for the little man'. It's a bit big but I am sure he will grow into it."

Who is Danny Willett?
The son of a vicar, he was born on 3 October, 1987 in Sheffield
Left school at 16 but later attended Jacksonville State University in Alabama on a golfing scholarship
Won the 2007 English Amateur Championship and in early 2008 became the world's top-ranked amateur
Turned professional in 2008 and clinched his first European Tour victory at the 2012 BMW International Open in Germany
Won twice on the European Tour in the 2015 season and made his Masters debut where he finished tied 38th
Captured his fourth European Tour victory at the Dubai Desert Classic in February 2016

"You can't really describe the emotions and feelings," added Willett, who started the day on level par.

"We all try to play good golf and someone has to win and fortunately today it was my day.

"Every time we seemed to make ground, Jordan kept pulling ahead. We kept trying to dig in. I thought we had to get to seven under and we looked up and Jordan was already seven.

"It was a very surreal day when you look back at the ebbs and flows."

Reaction to Willett's win

"This isn't a shock win, Danny Willett has been playing great for two years now. Gave Rory a run for his money in Race To Dubai last year." - England's former world number one Luke Donald.

"Danny Willett well done that man.... And a new baby that was due today... The name Augusta sounds pretty good." - Ryder Cup star Ian Poulter, who finished in a tie for 49th.

"Congrats Danny Willett incredible stuff enjoy all that's coming your way you deserve it all." - Scotland's 1999 Open winner Paul Lawrie.

"Tears in this household Danny Willett. You little beauty." - Former England cricket captain Michael Vaughan.

"Enjoy tonight Danny Willett get down the local in your Green Jacket when you're home for a pint of mild." - Yorkshire and England bowler Tim Bresnan.

"Not often we've been able to say it but an Englishman is Masters champion. Congratulations Danny Willett." - Former England striker Michael Owen.

"What a round by Danny Willett! Always good to see an English winner! Masters champion!" - Tottenham and England striker Harry Kane.

"And now Jordan has to give him the jacket? Brutal." - British tennis player Laura Robson.

Danny Willett wins the 2016 Masters — But the messages posted by Willett's brother PJ stole the all the Twitter plaudits...

What do his former coaches think?

Peter Ball, who coached Willett between the ages of 12 and 16, told Radio 5 live: "I had my heart in my mouth watching him, wishing every putt in.

"It is amazing, I'm so proud of the young man. He was one of a number of young people who turned up, but he wanted to practise more and his drive and determination was amazing.

"We went down to the Ryder Cup and Danny was on the bus with me and we went on the practice area to meet some of the players and he said 'I would like to be here one day' and he is here. Absolutely amazing."

James Hobbs, Willett's coach at Jacksonville State University, said: "He came at 17, he was an immature young man and we got him playing competitive golf and introduced him to fitness and working out to build his strength.

"We gave him a great course to practise on and basically Danny will agree it was a platform where he could launch his golf career."

Never want to miss the latest golf news? You can now add this sport and all the other sports and teams you follow to your personalised My Sport home.

.view-comments-button-wrapped-component {display: block !important;} .view-comments-button-wrapper {display: none !important;}

Comments

Join the conversation

These comments are now closed.

185 comments

Tremendous victory, but don't let anyone taint it by saying Spieth lost it (as America's press is apparently doing). Danny won it with a superb bogey free final round of 67. Terrific stuff.
4 English guys in the top 7, with final rounds of 67,69,67,67. Top stuff lads.
We love a good underdog. Especially when they are British. And even more especially when they haven't been pampered their entire career.

Well done Danny Willett!
Mistake free 67 on a Sunday on a difficult course deserves to win you a green jacket. Top stuff.
I'm happy the lad won... but what a sore loser Spieth is... getting all stroppy at the end when the camera was apparently "in his face".. get a grip
The best part... watching a skilled, humble Englishman come and sweep the prize away from the arrogant young Yank.

Well done Danny Willett!
Brilliant performance from Willet, he showed real nerve and character and of course some great golf. Spieth looked like he was waiting to go wrong all day, his putting and short game were sublime but he was very wild off the tee. And poor old Monty, predicting there would be no real English challenge this year! He can never quite get the majors quite right, even as a pundit!
Congrats to Danny for a superb and well deserved victory! But spare a thought for his playing partner, Lee Westwood who must now officially be recognised as the best player never to ...... Lee will not have begrudged him his win and will have positively encouraged him on the way round.

So many Brits and other Europeans in contention. Roll on the Ryder Cup!
It wasn't fate.
Don't put it down to luck

It was hard work ,skill and practice that got him there.

Well done
For those that say golf is elitist, perhaps the greatest prize in the game has just been won by a vicar's son from Sheffield. Anything is possible with the right attitude and people behind you.
Harry77 - What on earth have you got against Rory? In my opinion he is a reasonably humble guy. Horrid man? I don't think so.
I like the way the Americans still take credit for this............
The trouble with Tw*tter is that instead of having to listen to some drunk bloke down the pub shouting at the TV, those comments are now spread worldwide. It doesn't make them more interesting, just a distraction from the real achievement. Well done Danny!
As well as Willett the other English guys also performed admirably. There were 7 who made the cut. 3 of them shot the low round of the day (67 Willett, Casey, Fitzpatrick), and Westwood 69, Rose 70 and Poulter 71 also beat par. Only Wood's 79 let the side down (a bit). Can't remember a major with such good performances en masse by the English players. Superb times for English golf.
His tee shot on 16 summed up why he earned being the Master. Under the pressure of knowing it was his to lose, and he goes and extends his lead rather than cracking under the pressure.
Let's hope we see more of this from him in the future.
Wonderful golf from a wonderful champion - Dan's the man!
@ 13

'The more this horrid man doesn't win is a good thing for golf'

Probably the most naturally talented player to come out of these islands for a generation ... unlike some, a joy to watch when he's on song, unlike some, gets on with the game.

Unpredictable at times but brilliant

Didnt hear him make any excuses and think your crass comment says more about your nastiness than his
Re 144. Why would one not want to be the next Justin Rose? Major winner, fixture in the world's top ten, mainstay of the Ryder Cup and someone who comes across as a pretty decent guy to boot.
Congratulations to Danny Willett you could see the determination on his face finishing those last three holes stayed rock solid such a controlled performance. You also have to take your hat off to Lee Westwood who could well of won or another day. Amazing day for British golf.
That period of play around when Spieth bogeyed 11th up to Willett birdieing the 16th was as good as sports gets, just compelling viewing!

Accessibility links