Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Willett hits best form of season
DANNY WILLETT carded his lowest round of the season as he looks to halt his alarming slide down the world rankings.
The 2016 Masters champion compiled a bogey-free, six-under-par 65 to lie just two shots off the lead in the Italian Open.
“It’s been a while,” Willett said after only his second round in the 60s this season. “We played really well and got the ball in play a lot, which you have to do around here.”
The 30-year-old reached a careerhigh of ninth in the world after claiming his first major title at Augusta
National two years ago, but has since plummeted to 462nd after struggling with injuries and a loss of form.
He has missed the cut in all but one of nine starts in 2018. But, on a day of low scoring at Gardagolf in Brescia, Willett is only two shots off the lead shared by fellow Englishmen Robert Rock and Laurie Canter and South Africa’s Richard Sterne.
Willett teamed up with three of Italy’s Paralympic golfers in a pre-tournament pro-am and added: “It was one of those days that just puts life into perspective.
“To have the experience I did in the pro-am was one of those days where you step back and realise how fortunate we golfers are.”
Tiger Woods overcome a rough start in his opening round to card an even-par 72 at the Memorial Tournament in Dublin, Ohio.
But he was still seven shots off early clubhouse leaders Abraham Ancer and Joaquin Niemann.
Playing partner Justin Rose started with a 71.