BMW PGA Championship Danny’s on the home stretch
WILLETT EYES FIRST TITLE IN BRITAIN
Neil Mcleman
DANNY WILLETT will go mano a mano today with Spaniard Jon Rahm in a bid to win his first-ever title on home soil at the BMW PGA.
The Yorkshireman has won nine times around the world – including the 2016 Masters – but never in Great Britain.
Now the world No.58 has a golden shot at his first home victory as he shares a three-shot lead with Rahm going into the storm-threatened final day.
Amazing
And Willett, who missed the cut here last year following a vasectomy, is banking on more “raucous” home support against his fellow Ryder Cup star.
He said: “To win on home soil would be amazing.
“To get it done at such a massive stage as Wentworth would make it even more satisfying. It was nice to play well today, shoot some good scores and do some fancy stuff in front of the home crowd.
“A few of them got a bit raucous – I think they’d had a few too many scoops – but nothing bad. Just loud.
“They just want to see some good golf and have something to cheer about, and hopefully we gave them that.”
Rahm held a two-shot lead after 16 holes but three-putted 17 and then made a remarkable par at the last when he drove into the trees and took a penalty drop as Willett made a closing birdie.
“It is going to be a battle,” said Rahm. “Danny is playing really well and all the players behind are too.”
Justin Rose eagled 17 but gave back a shot with a bogey on the 18th for a 69 to sit in tied third – three shots back.
“It was a frustrating way to finish but I’m still in with a shot,” claimed world No.4 Rose.
Rory Mcilroy admitted he has thrown off the rust too late after his third-round 65 still left him nine shots off the lead.
Career
The world No.2, who won the title here in 2014, said: “I know I won from seven back a few years ago but that’s something that happens maybe once in y our career. It felt like I had not played golf in years on Thursday.”
Local boy Ross Fisher made the first ever albatross two on the 18th when he holed a 4- iron from 218 yards... and won a £ 133,000 BMW sports car.