Willett plans return to top of golf’s Everest
TWELVE months ago he left his wife and new-born baby, and, following a madcap dash to Georgia, became the 89th and last player to register for the Masters. This year, Danny Willett’s badge says No 1. It’s a privilege afforded the defending champion and it’s not the only one. On Saturday, he entered the champions’ locker room for the first time. ‘It’s a pretty cool place to be,’ he said. ‘I had a little walk round to see the names and the years they won. It’s a reminder that in golf terms you’ve conquered Everest and planted your flag at the summit.’ With just a few members on the course and several other players, Willett took his first stroll back around the place where his life changed forever last year. He replicated a couple of key shots from that memorable bogey-free final round of 67. The delicate chip from the back of the 17th green, of course, and the bold drive at the par five 13th. A natural fader of the ball, he needed a draw under pressure. ‘I had to see if I could pull off those shots again and it was all just really nice,’ he said. ‘I said to Jon (Smart, his caddie) just to walk around would have been enough. We got to the crest of the hill at the 11th, looking down towards Amen Corner with noone around, and it was simply magical. We threw a couple of balls down, hit a couple of shots and laughed out loud about all that happened 12 months ago.’ Asked if he had been watching re-runs to get in the mood, Willett replied: ‘I don’t think you have to get yourself in the mood to play at Augusta. ‘Getting the No 1 badge, you can imagine how that feels but that’s how it is here, everything they do is first class. It’s been an amazing time, a rollercoaster year, but to have taken the green jacket to places and worn it with pride, to see the look on people’s faces when they see it close-up, they’re things I’ll never forget.’ Now to the golf. If he was on Everest last year, it’s fair to say he’s now back at base camp — but looking up. ‘Things might not have dropped back into place yet but it’s only a matter of time,’ said Willett. ‘I’m still only 29 and I’ve got a long career.’